Marine center floating seascape

Abstract

“We all come from the sea, but we are not all of the sea. Those of us who are, we children of the tides, must return to it again and again, until the day we don’t come back leaving only that which was touched along the way.” - Frosty Hesson. The Mediterranean Sea is known to be “the sea between the lands”; it’s also known for its serenity and beauty. Apart from being one of the largest seas in the world, it’s also one that attracts the most tourism. The Mediterranean Sea has a rich marine biodiversity life, with an estimate of 17 000 marine species, 550 species of fish, sharks, herrings, anchovies, etc. Man-made actions and human activities, however have managed to find a way to affect its marine life, causing disastrous environmental pollution and health issues. Lebanon, has not only managed to destroy marine life but has also found a way to ruin its coastline, by building on it privatized centers where there are entrance fees making access to the beach unaffordable to most Lebanese citizens, blocking beach access, and making a sea view almost impossible without trespassing on their territories. My proposed project is a Marine Center by the coast, where an architectural solution will be sought out to solve these issues, environmentally, socially, culturally and economically.