This Stunning Ottoman Apartment Tells the Story of a Recovering Beirut

At the other end of the façade, the exhibition contains staggered seating fitted with cushions. There, museum-goers can watch a series of films commissioned by AKK. Directed by Wissam Charaf and Florence Strauss, the films highlight the human impact of the 2020 explosion. In addition to featuring interviews with those afflicted, they also chart the history of Bayt K, as well as the process of its renovation. 

“It took six months to a year to decide I could do something that responded to the explosion and economic situation in Beirut,” Kassar says, speaking of the exhibition. “I thought I could [use the show to] talk about the building and my involvement in Beirut, to keep alive its traditional houses, and also try to do something to accelerate the city’s renovation process, and try to say that it is still important, that even during this economic disaster, things can be done for our houses.” 

But Kassar emphasizes that the exhibition is relevant far beyond the borders of Beirut. “You open a newspaper and see that somewhere a city has been destroyed—it’s a scale where there is no more human emotion. So many families are suffering.” 

In light of that, Kassar explains, memory is particularly powerful. “It’s better to renovate a place rather than let go, because it is part of the memory of people, it’s all memories—that’s why I took this decision to try to show the renovation I’ve done as well as the consequences of the explosion on traditional Lebanese houses, and in fact the entire district around the port, and the effect it’s had on those who live here.” 

“I was happy to do this project to demonstrate a process, I was hoping that it could have an impact on people, and I could get a return on investment, even just emotionally—and I think I did.”