orange architects completes stacked residential tower overlooking beirut's skyline

back in 2011, dutch firm orange architects proposed their design for ‘the cube’ – a residential tower located on the hills of beirut, lebanon. five years later the 50-meter realized scheme is completed and prominently stands in the eastern district of the city.

orange architects completes stacked residential tower overlooking beirut’s skyline
all images courtesy of matthijs van roon

built in response to optimize space, the cube by orange architects is organized with a singular floorplan, with all 19 apartments presented with unobstructed views of beirut’s growing skyline. the slight rotation and irregularity of each level has resulted in the creation of outdoor areas for each residence.

comprised of 14 stacked and rotated floors, this has generated 19 apartments in total

the 14 stacked and rotated floor plans have generated the panoramic apartments ranging in size from 117 to 234 square meters. established with fluid interiors, large balconies and wall-to-wall windows. the tower was constructed with no constraints of columns within the apartments, accessibility is based at the core of the building with each floor composed of two supporting concrete girders and two panoramic window frames, consequently rotated 90 degrees per level.

internal accessibility is through an elevator and staircase which runs at the core of the building

the white girder walls punctuated with angular windows define the exterior and the interior of the building. the parking garage is located underground and partly set into the adjacent hill. meanwhile, on the ground floor the recessed space for the lobby is covered by a cantilevering volume, stimulating a sheltered and generous entrance to the cube.

there is underground parking set into the adjacent hill

the recessed space the foyer is covered by the cantilevering volume

the irregular organization of each floor allows for a covered balcony for each apartment

the 50 meter tall block stands prominently on the hillside location

at night, the distant beirut sky line is seen from each apartment

at night the structure is illuminated – highlight the distinctive form