LY Beirut
LY Beirut is
a multifunctional bar which embodies Lebanese Heritage and Traditions.
Reviving the Lebanese traditions
and Heritage.
Lebanese people have been famous
for their ability to celebrate and enjoy the simplest moments, even in the country’s
hardest times. Despite their problem-filled lives, they always make time to get
together around a drink. What a better way to translate this longing for
reunion, than around LY Beirut?
LY Beirut is a multifunctional bar
regrouping all the elements needed to have a drink, especially arak, the
locally produced spirit. The bar is circular in order for it to have no corners
whatsoever, creating a uniting and connecting surface for people to rely on. As
indicated by its name, ‘LY Beirut’ is made to unite the people around Lebanese
traditions; Using traditional Lebanese craftsmanship such as Cane Weaving and Glass
blowing, we are reviving our heritage while adapting it to the modern world,
expanding their physical abilities, and reintegrating them in our daily lives.
Cane Weaving has been used in the
MENA region ever since the 17th century. This technique was firstly
used to create baskets, as the rattan strings used are lightweight, durable,
suitable for outdoor use and to a certain extent, flexible. Throughout time,
the patterns evolved adapting to the country’s cultures, hence the birth of the
‘Khaizaran’ pattern inspired by Islamic art.
Glass Blowing has been produced in
the Middle East ever since the 3rd Century B.C, when the blowing
cane was first created. This discovery allowed the democratization of the use
of glass. This technique is known for its ability to mold and create any shape,
as well as tainting the glass while keeping its transparency.
The process of crafting bowls and
plates is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago. The hammering of
copper and brass in order to create shapes and bumped textures is a Lebanese tradition.
Sheets of copper are hammered to ensure even distribution of heat and air,
enhancing the material’s thermal conductivity. Copper is a durable material and
has the ability to resist acid.
Arak is the traditional alcoholic
beverage in Lebanon. It is a strong flavored liquor, usually mixed with water
with a ratio of 1:3 in a water vessel called Ib’rik. The dilution causes the
clear liquor to turn a translucent milky-white color. The spirit is made out of
only two ingredients, grapes and
aniseed. Offering a drink of Arak is a sign
of welcoming, an invitation to savor the Lebanese mezze. It is commonly served
with mezze, and is drunken throughput the meal due to its digestive benefits.
The spirit is drunk in small quantities, hence the arak glasses’ customized
size.
SETUP:
In order to enhance
the user experience, and immerse the visitor in the narrative of ‘LY Beirut’,
we decided to create a set up representative of that narrative.
The visitors are
faced with the bar and a curved Rattan Panel, creating an explicative path and
journey throughout the narrative. Displayed on the panel are pictures and
videos showcasing the craftsmanship work, as well as the Historic background of
the materials used. Equipped with visual and audio supports, the bar becomes
more than a simple product, it becomes a total work of Art.
