Rabih Borji

Manipulating Architectural Design Forms Based on Nature

Since the creation of Earth, all of its creatures started establishing shelters for themselves. Humans, too, started to build dwellings to protect themselves from climatic conditions and predatory animals. They looked around and found inspiration in nature, using available materials to construct their accommodations.

The Egg / Beirut’s Forgotten Monument

The EGG in Beirut is a modernist architectural marvel designed by Joseph Philippe Karam, symbolizing the city’s golden age and serving as a cultural hub before the civil war. Despite being damaged during the conflict, it remains a powerful reminder of Beirut’s resilience and holds significant historical and emotional value for its citizens.

The Phillips Pavilion 1958 – Iannis Xenakis and Le Corbusier

The Phillips Pavilion, designed by Iannis Xenakis and Le Corbusier for Expo 1958, was an innovative architectural feat that combined hyperbolic paraboloid shells to create an immersive audio-visual experience. This pioneering structure, which incorporated advanced sound and light technologies, exemplified Xenakis’s interdisciplinary approach, blending engineering, music, and architecture into a cohesive and groundbreaking design.

Sonic Environment and The Walking Urbanite The Case of Atatürk Boulevard, Ankara, Turkey 

The term “soundscape” emerged and gained interest with the progression of studies in the field of urban acoustical environment. In the urban context, auditory perception is as critical as the visual conception of the space. However the researches in this regard are not profound yet. From this departure point, the thesis interconnects a wide range of critical issues. It considers the relationship between space, form and movement through the sonic experience of the walking urbanite. The main research objective is to develop a spatial framework and approach to examine the sonic condition(s) along the Atatürk Boulevard. In this respect, this study specifies the components of the physical space which affects the type, range and level of sonic effects. Integrating these concepts requires innovative approaches, methods and tools.

The Cosmic City

Iannis Xenakis’s “Cosmic City” is a visionary urban proposal from the 1960s designed to accommodate 5 million inhabitants in a single megastructure with a hyperbolic shell, emphasizing vertical expansion over decentralization. This futuristic city integrates homes, workplaces, and amenities within its massive structure, reflecting Xenakis’s belief in high-density living as a sustainable solution for the future.

Visual and Soundscape Values of Parisian Balcony

The balcony is one of the building’s physical components in which the latter is one of the soundscape’s main components. The person who uses the balcony exposes himself to the soundscape as a matter of choice. 

From a College to a City University Campus / The Conservation of TED Kolej Campus

The TED University Campus project in Ankara, designed by Hüseyin Bütüner and colleagues, emphasizes the preservation and modernization of the historic TED Ankara College buildings. By integrating new structures with the old, the project enhances educational and social spaces while maintaining the original architectural identity, creating a contemporary urban university environment. 

The Impact of Cultural Heritage on the Built Environment 

This study explores the significant impact of cultural heritage on the built environment, emphasizing the value of preserving historical monuments, buildings, and sites. It discusses the various methods of heritage management, including restoration, renovation, and rehabilitation, and illustrates the benefits of integrating cultural heritage into urban development for sustainable tourism and community enhancement.

University Of Nottingham – Jubilee Campus

The University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, designed by Hopkins Architects, is a sustainable, award-winning development featuring innovative environmental strategies such as living roofs, solar panels, and a wind-driven ventilation system. This campus, built on a reclaimed industrial site, combines architecture and landscaping to create an efficient, eco-friendly environment for education and research.