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API center

Lebanon

2024

Needs Assessment & Design
Di-Lab, School of Architecture and Design at the American University of Beirut & Design for Communities
Instructors
Sarah Rita Kattan, Shoghag Ohannessian, Karim Najjar
Architects
Celine Tutunjian, Tracy Abou Saab
Students
Carl Youssef, Dana al Hafi
Partners
Di-Lab, arc en ciel

Adjacent to the entrance of Domaine de Taanayel lies an abandoned linear structure, once a thriving beekeeping apiary, now in decay. Informed by comprehensive needs assessments and surveys, the project revitalizes the site, aligning with Domaine’s identity as an educational and innovation hub while honouring its beekeeping heritage and its role in the local ecosystem.

The Api-Center raises awareness about the global bee crisis and offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the vital role of bees through interactive workshops, guided tours, and commercial activities focused on beekeeping and its byproducts. In addition to educating visitors, the center supports local Beqaa beekeepers by offering honey and wax extraction rentals, consultation sessions, and access to beekeeping equipment. The
Domaine’s beekeepers are also provided with spaces to extract honey, transform byproducts into natural goods, and sell them to visitors.

Through adaptive reuse, the structure has been architecturally and socially revitalized, creating an open flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. An experiential garden enhances the project by offering a sociable, accessible, and immersive environment for all visitors, serving as a community hub for learning, social interaction, and a deeper connection to nature.
This project, a partnership with Di-Lab and Arcenciel, reflects our commitment to preserving history, promoting sustainability, and creating innovative solutions that benefit the local community and environment.