anthony saroufim documents niemeyer's unfinished rashid karami fairgrounds in lebanon

anthony saroufim documents niemeyer’s unfinished rashid karami fairgrounds in lebanon

at the site of the ‘rashid karami international fairgrounds’ in tripoli, lebanon’s second-largest city, are located the unfinished remains of an architectural vision. brazilian architect oscar niemeyer was commissioned in 1963 to design the grounds, a project that was abruptly discontinued in 1975 when the country plummeted into civil war.

ampitheatre and the arch
images © anthony saroufim

fifteen concrete structures still stand in partial completion, their 10,000 hectare plot a vast frame that evokes notions of progress and set-back. documented by photographer anthony saroufim, the stagnant environment offers a potent view of one country’s still-close history. 

floating theatre

indoor theatre

the indoor theather’s decayed interior 

base of the arch

the arch

the ‘rashid karami international fairgrounds’ as documented by anthony saroufim

the 10,000 hectare complex was designed by brazilian architect oscar niemeyer

space museum with backdrop of modern tripoli

standing beneath the arch

ampitheatre

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom

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