Endangered Buildings: Architecture, Identity, and Belonging

Buildings embody the memories, stories, and traditions of the communities that inhabit them, connecting generations through shared experiences and cultural practices. Over time, these spaces become markers of collective identity and belonging. When architecture is damaged or lost, communities risk losing not only significant structures, but also vital places of cultural memory, connection, and continuity.

Founded in 1879, Villa Al Makassed is a late 19th-century palatial residence and the headquarters of the Sunni charitable Foundation Al Makassed. It also houses a public library of 35,000 books, the largest collection of Islamic publications in Lebanon. The villa suffered extensive damage in the Beirut explosion of August 4, 2020. Its restoration was essential not only to preserve the building, but also to ensure suitable conditions for the long-term protection of its collections. The rehabilitation project also trained 74 people in heritage restoration, supporting the transmission of traditional knowledge and craftsmanship. The architectural fragments, photographs, and video presented here document the villa and its restoration, illustrating the vital connection between protecting heritage collections and preserving the buildings that shelter them.