PROJECT

Modular Mountain Chalet

Qanat Bakish, 2022

An aerial view of a modern residential area with multiple houses, surrounded by a terraced landscape with stone walls, and a mountainous landscape in the background during sunset.

Project Type:
Private Residence

Architect:
Collaboration with AK Architecture Studio, Beirut.

Sitting on a plateau at the foot of Mount Lebanon, the AN Guesthouse seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings, inviting the landscape into its very essence.

Designed in a U-shape, the guesthouse is centered around a lush garden that opens onto the valley, offering breathtaking views of the mountains. Drawing inspiration from the functionality of traditional Lebanese homes and the elegance of Japanese courtyards, the house embodies a harmonious balance between heritage and simplicity.

At its core, the courtyard serves as a vibrant “green heart,” acting as both a visual and spatial connector between the six bedrooms and living areas. Accessible from all rooms, this shared sanctuary enhances the sense of community and tranquility, making it the defining feature of the guesthouse.

Finishing Material

Cedar Wood

Thermally treated cedar wood for the main cladding, offering exceptional resistance to extreme weather conditions.
Vertical wooden elements

Vertical wooden elements, adding both aesthetic appeal and functional shading. These reduce sun exposure on the dark façade throughout the day, improving thermal efficiency.
Pine Cones

Crushed pine cones on the rooftop, naturally available and highly effective in heat absorption and insulation. They also act as a natural filter for rain and snow before water collection.

Project Location

Modern house with wooden slats on the exterior, situated on a dry, rocky landscape with scattered trees, under a clear blue sky.

A snow-covered house with a modern design, wooden accents, and large windows, set in a mountainous, snowy landscape with scattered trees and distant hills under a partly cloudy sky.

An aerial view of a winding road passing through a rocky, barren landscape with sparse vegetation and a few buildings.

A barren mountain area with sparse vegetation and a few houses, under a clear blue sky.

Qanat Bakish lies beneath Lebanon’s second-highest mountain, where the harsh elements put every structure to the test. That’s why we designed and built this house with care, ensuring it stands strong through all four seasons of Mediterranean weather.

Concept

Illustration of a modern architectural house with flat roof, surrounded by trees, on a sloped landscape.

Line drawing of a modern house with large windows, surrounded by trees and bushes.

The architecture harmonizes with the natural topography, following the slope of the land without any excavation or alteration to the existing terrain.

This organic approach is reflected not only in the building’s shape but also in its layout. This design approach is also reflected in the layout, with each room and module set at different levels to follow the natural slope.

The modules rest on a stone podium, creating a striking contrast between the sturdy, grounded base and the lightweight prefabricated structures above.

Floor Plan

A black object, possibly a digital device or a piece of furniture, with a flat, smooth surface, and some faint markings or shadows on it.

The 250 sqm house features seven bedrooms, three of which have independent access through their own exterior entrances.
At the heart of the home, a spacious living area surrounds the central courtyard, seamlessly connecting the remaining four bedrooms with an open kitchen, dining space, and a cozy wood stove corner. Each master bedroom has its own private terrace, offering stunning views of the valley.

Site Plan

Aerial view of a building with a flat roof, surrounded by a winding road and a rocky, sparse landscape

Natural stone preserved

Easy access to crane

Only natural materials

Natural slope of the land

Aerial view of modern houses with flat roofs and wooden slats, surrounded by a stone wall, with a mountain in the background and a clear sky.

a. Footprint

The U-shaped plan allows for cross ventilation in all spaces, in both bedrooms and bathroom.
A natural solution for cooling and ventilating.

A scenic landscape view with a tree bearing fruit in the foreground, residential buildings and a hilly terrain in the middle ground, and the ocean on the horizon under a clear blue sky.

b. Landscape

The house embraces the nature around it but also aims to reduce its environmental impact using natural ventilation, lightweight materials, and construction waste reduction, without altering or damaging the land it sits on.

Interior of a wooden house with a dining area. There is a large wooden dining table with multiple chairs, a built-in wooden bench with cushions beside a large window, and framed photos on the wall. A person is visible in the corridor leading outside, and a sliding glass door reveals an outdoor patio with a table and chairs, and a tree.

c. Material Efficiency

The other materials include limestone, which is sourced locally, with a bare minimum use of concrete for the foundations. Since the modules are prefabricated,the waste on site was considerably reduced.

A modern black wooden house with a large sliding glass door, surrounded by plants and trees, with a stone staircase in front. A man is walking on the stairs, and a motorcycle is parked on the ground level.

A modern outdoor patio with wooden decking, surrounded by trees and wooden walls, with a seating area including white cushioned chairs, umbrellas, and a wooden table with decorative pottery, bathed in sunlight.

The exterior features Shou Sugi Ban cladding, a traditional Japanese technique of charring wood to enhance its durability and minimize maintenance.

Complementing this, brown vertical louvers serve as a secondary “skin,” providing structural support for the canopies while also encouraging climbing plants to grow, enriching the greenery and integrating the building with nature. These plants extend toward the roof, which is covered in locally sourced crushed pinecones an affordable, eco-friendly solution that helps block sunlight and naturally filters rain and snow before water collection.

Modern house exterior with wooden and stone elements, small trees, and outdoor seating under a clear blue sky.

Building this house was a significant challenge, as it was completed during the collapse of the Lebanese state. However, through a strong collaboration between the client and KIUBZ, the project successfully adapted to the country’s economic reality.

As Lebanon’s first modular home of its kind, this project introduced a faster, more efficient construction method while maintaining the highest standards in home finishing, energy efficiency, and architectural design.