PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 20 July 2008

International Competitions
House of Arts and Culture in Beirut, Lebanon

Mr. Tarek Mitri, Minister of Culture of Lebanon, announced the launch of an international competition for the design of the House of Arts and Culture in Beirut city centre, on 4 July 2008, during the UIA General Assembly. In conformity with the UNESCO-UIA regulations, this project competition, open and anonymous, has been approved by the International Union of Architects. This landmark building is part of the reconstruction process of the Lebanese capital and will be realised with the support by the Sultanate of Oman.

Situated in the Ghalghoul district, that was severely affected by the conflicts that occurred in Beirut, the future House of Arts and Culture will be built on a site of 3785 M2, in this area of the city in full expansion where several prestigious buildings are being constructed by renowned Lebanese and foreign architects. Conceived as a dynamic and interactive centre, the programme will propose, on 15901 M2, a vast range of spaces devoted to creativity, exchange, debate, education and cultural diffusion addressed to all publics of all generations.

Jury
The international jury will be composed of : the Minister of Culture of Lebanon or his representative; a representative of the Sultanate of Oman; Marwan Saleh representing the Lebanese Order of Engineers and Architects; a representative of SOLIDERE (the Real Estate Company for Reconstruction and Development of Beirut Central District); Ms Magda Hosam Eldin Mostafa, architect, Egypt, representing the UIA ; Suha Ozkan, architect, Turkey; Ms Momoyo Kajima, architect, Japan; Ms Izaskun Chinchilla Moreno, architect, Spain; Okwui Enwezor, Dean of Academic Affairs, Senior Vice-President, San Francisco Art Institute. Two deputy members will be appointed shortly.

Timetable
Deadline for registration 29 September 2008
Deadline for deliveryor mailing entries 30 January2009
Deadline for reception of posted projects 10 February2009
Jury meeting and announcement of results 16-20 March 2009

Participation
The competition is open to licensed architects practising architecturein their countryand multi-disciplinary teams headed by an architect. The competition working languages are English and French.

Registration will be made on-line on the competition web site
www.darbayrut.org
The non-refundable registration fee of 250 USD may be paid on-line or by direct bank transfer.

Prizes
The total prize money is 90 000 USD:
1st prize: USD 75 000;
2nd prize: USD 40 000;
3rd prize: USD 25 000.

Information and Registration
www.darbayrut.org
info@darbayrut.org
The Order of Engineers and Architects
Bir Hassan Area, Beit Al-Mouhandes Street, Beit Al-Mouhandes Bldg
P.O. Box 11-1010
Beirut - Lebanon




Update: 9/5/08
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