The Quarantine Traces

During the last year of my Bachelor’s, under the final year research and project theme “The architecture of Death”, I chose to explore the architectural traces that humans across the world have left behind, as a gateway into their past lives, identity, and cultural heritage. Throughout my research, I delved into the history of Beirut, the early civilization settlements, and the archeological ruins found in the city. My project focused on how pre-existing structures in the city could also possibly be the traces we leave behind for future generations. Eventually, my research questions became “What traces are we, those inhabiting the world in the era of globalization, of technological advances, and environment degradation, leaving behind?” and “Can these last attempts at preserving our species eventually be the traces we leave behind for the future?” Based on my research and in response to the challenges imposed by the start of the pandemic, I designed isolation pods near the airport, in which travelers coming into Lebanon can quarantine.
The main concept behind these isolation pods was to have evolving structures that can accommodate for an increasing number of pod plug-ins. The intention was to make sure people staying in these pods, although trapped and isolated, also feel a sense of liberation and community, which is why two pods of entertainment facilities are attached to each room, to allow people to practice individual activities, but collectively.