ZUHAIR MURAD HOUSE (The international fashion designer) | Atef Tabet

The House is located in Beitmeri, Mount Lebanon. It is 8 kilometers to the north east of the capital Beirut, on a Pine Grove wooded hilly site that has a panoramic view overlooking both the Mediterranean and Beirut City. 

The owner enjoys entertaining international and local guests and wants to develop the newly acquired real estate as a quiet and comfortable place to experience, away from the city hassle. His love for nature and quality details, was the catalyst and ingredient for us as “the architect” to seek a unique design concept. I.e. Stone Clapboard as a reminder of wood clapboard, double glazed wood windows and red roof tiles with Brass zinc roofs, interior layers of “white on white”, reflecting the serenity of the context and sustaining the rough Mediterranean climate. 

Program: A total renovation for the French Colonial style Villa that was in a very bad condition; it contains low small windows, low ceilings and dim interiors, a one-floor level with a hip roof attic, and a small cottage to the side, circa 1960. 

The Main House has gone under complete overhaul of rejuvenation and renovation down to the bones. It brings in natural light from all sides including the roof, and to view the surrounding scenes from within a series of large French doors with overhang pergolas. Along with all this, there are two large eyebrow windows on the upper level that are flanked with the main central stair articulated tower that acts as a pivotal element for the villa.

The original planning layout for the house has been changed and enlarged to accommodate the client’s needs; An Entry Hall, then a large gallery, central stairs with sky light above. The main office/studio, family room with intimate chimney, large living room with a library, professional kitchen with a pantry to serve the formal dining room, and outdoor kitchen for entertainment.
The upper level is dedicated to the Master Bedroom suites, private terraces, and a main upper family room.

Underground Gym has been introduced with a green grass top to serve as a front yard to the main house, a large swimming pool and an outdoor service bar. A Visitors house overlooking the pool and the main house with architectonics to fit the house theme, has been totally revamped to accommodate large living dining space with a bedroom area. The Staff house, a new two level structure with two carports, has been added at the front gate to complete the whole planning estate.
The landscape theme compliments the house design with lush landscaping and horticulture selection to survive next to the pine grove.