< PreviousThe hotel is constructed almost entirely using a mix of beach sand and cement, refl ecting the golden hues of the shoreline, from which it seems to emerge. What struck me as soon as I set foot here was the connection to the sea. I could feel the energy of the distant waves through the air AD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 13804/10/2022 10:49:19 PMadmiddleeast.com 139Photography Carl Gerges Way of Life ESCAPE For much of antiquity, the Phoenicians were renowned as skilled mariners and trad- ers, shaping cross-cultural pollination in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. They founded the city of Batroun on the windswept northern coast of Lebanon, whose name is said to derive from the Phoenician word bater, meaning “to cut”; it’s a reference to the sea wall they built there to defend against strong tidal waves. Today, Batroun remains steeped in history, with its old souks and architectural treasures, while the gusty breezes have made the coastline a favourite with surfers. Now, though, it’s evolv- ing in a new direction, thanks to Beirut-born architect Carl Gerges’ vision for idyllic new beach hotel and resort, Capo. Many will know Gerges better as a musi- cian. In 2008, while studying architecture at the American University of Beirut, he started the hugely successful band Mashrou’ Leila with a group of fellow students. Gerges con- tinued his architectural explorations in paral- lel, offi cially launching his own studio in 2020. He approaches music and design in similar ways, thinking “scenographically”; his build- ings are intimately linked to nature, the envi- ronment and light (his favourite medium). This philosophy is acutely present in his con- cept for Capo, a challenging project complet- ed in just six months. Gerges was briefed by real-estate developer Jamil Saab & Co to create a retreat with “com- fortable, spacious suites, a lot of outdoor areas, a beach bar and an all-seasons restau- AD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 13904/10/2022 10:49:33 PMESCAPE Way of Life rant”. He found his vision growing rapidly more ambitious as he got to know the loca- tion, nestled between the mountains and the ocean. “What struck me as soon as I set foot here was the immediate connection to the sea,” he says. “I could feel the energy of the dis- tant waves through the air.” Gerges’ design for Capo – slang for “cap- tain”, honouring Batroun’s maritime past – is modelled on Roman amphitheatres, employ- ing classical symmetry in its fi ve cascading ter- races, which form a dialogue with the sur- rounding landscape, sea and sky. From afar, they resemble a sailing boat. “The hotel is con- structed almost entirely using a unique mix of beach sand and cement, refl ecting the warm golden hues of the shoreline, from which the resort seems to emerge,” Gerges explains. “The interiors are sleek, monochromatic, and understated, with colossal sliding doors that invite expansive sea views inside.” Bathrooms feature planted private court- yards, transforming a shower into an immer- sive open-air experience, and every guest has their own pool and terrace. In eff ect, each suite is a secluded miniature oasis. As for furniture, the outbreak of war in Ukraine forced Gerges’ team to commission most of the pieces from local artisans rather than shipping in from abroad, something that has worked out for the best. “The results were incredible; the fact that we produced most of the furniture locally is something I’m very proud of,” says Gerges. Capo is an homage to the Mediterranean – something that, as a Beirut native, Gerges had always longed to do. “Beirut is a coastal city that unfortunately turns its back to the sea - it is present, but never really visible,” he refl ects. “That’s why the relationship with the horizon ESCAPE Way of Life 140 admiddleeast.com AD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 14004/10/2022 10:49:56 PMCLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Cascading terraces lead down to the main swimming pool; bathrooms look out to courtyard gardens; each guest suite has a private pool terrace; the interiors have a laid-back luxe feel. Much of the furniture was locally made; the main entrance has beautifully framed views of the sea; Carl Gerges. played an essential role in how I arranged the spaces here.” Batroun’s sparkling sea is omni- present, from the dramatic entrance lined with statuesque cacti and draped with white cano- pies to the cushioned outdoor majlis, a cosy place for gatherings with its central fi repit. Plants and pools are also essential to the design, with lush greenery bringing the site to life. “I consider the plants on the property as art pieces,” says Gerges. “We handpicked hun- dreds of specimens that are more than 80 years old. Delicate plants such as reeds, grass- es, and evergreen cabbage palms sway and chime with the wind, while sculptural cacti, agaves and olive trees stand suspended in a moment of stillness,” he adds, sounding like the musician he is. Designed in collaboration with Beirut landscape architects Atelier Hamra, the gardens visually connect the vari- ous spaces, transforming the resort into a botanical sanctuary. Capo’s multi-level pool is similarly evoca- tive. Inspired by the jet-set glamour of Lebanon in the 1970s, it follows the natural coastline, accentuating the sense of proximity to the sea. “It’s my favourite part of the hotel,” Gerges enthuses. “The rough, sandy fi nish mimics the sea’s colour at any point of the day, creating an infi nity feel.” Intended to age beautifully over time, Capo is an invitation to reconnect with the magic of nature. “I want people to feel like they can disconnect from their daily lives here,” says Gerges. “To experi- ence luxury not through decoration, but through a lifestyle: take a plunge, relax, nap, wake up to views of the horizon. The Lebanese love partying, but there’s also space for that. It’s a balance of both.” capobatroun.com; carlgerges.com – AMY BRADFORD AD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 14105/10/2022 07:19:04 PMAD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 14204/10/2022 10:51:30 PMadmiddleeast.com 143 Way of Life ESCAPE I want people to disconnect from their daily lives at Capo. The Lebanese love partying so there’s also space for that AD_047_136-143_Escape_Way of life_12635330.indd 14304/10/2022 10:51:42 PMESCAPE Design Destination 144 admiddleeast.comPhotography Nicola Matheus Celebrating the landscape where Champagne is created in a building that’s a metaphor for the drink itself, a new hotel is a must-visit for connoisseurs and spa-goers alike Living in a Bubble AD_047_144-147_Escape_Stay _12616842.indd 14404/10/2022 10:53:52 PMxxxxxx AD_047_144-147_Escape_Stay _12616842.indd 14504/10/2022 10:54:08 PMESCAPE Design Destination 146 admiddleeast.com Vine-covered hills, valleys and forest are visible from every part of the building C hampagne is generally thought of as the height of sophistication; something to be savoured in the surround- ings of a chi-chi city cocktail bar or grande dame hotel. But for its latest project, French architectur- al practice Jouin Manku has homed in on the wine’s rustic origins. The Loisium hotel-spa will appeal to those seeking rest and relaxation as much as to dedicated Champagne lovers. Set in the heart of north-eastern France’s Champagne country, it’s an homage to the terroir where the drink is created, and is characterised by light, warmth, transparency and neutral colours that refl ect the chalky soil needed to grow Champagne grapes. The venue is surround- ed by vine-covered hills, valleys and forest that are visible from every part of the building, thanks to numerous full-height glass windows that make guests feel at one with nature. “Our project is a mix of deep, simple pleasures and sparkle,” says Sanjit Manku, who, with Patrick Jouin and Jacques Goubin, heads up Jouin Manku’s Paris studio. Inspired by the beauty of the location, their design rises organically from the landscape, using a palette of natural materials to embody the raw honesty and hard work that goes into creating fi ne Champagne. Split into two volumes (a light, translucent social space and a taller, more intimate one housing 101 guest rooms), the building is clad in timber to blend with the surrounding countryside, with a green roof that heightens the eff ect. Inside, the neutral palette celebrates earthy shades: the basement spa, for example, has walls covered in chalk-co- loured render that recalls the soil character- istics of the region, while blue slate fl ooring and modern green-tiled walls echo the hues of trees and sky. The bedrooms have spectacular views framed by huge, hon- ey-toned timber windows, alongside soft Clad in wood, the building was designed to be an extension of the surrounding forest. BELOW: the swimming pool looks out across the vineyards. AD_047_144-147_Escape_Stay _12616842.indd 14604/10/2022 10:54:25 PMgrey and taupe furnishings and consoles boasting built-in Champagne buckets. The luminous restaurant and multipur- pose lounge (complete with tree-planted patio) are dominated by contemporary wood panelling, earth-toned leather seating and earthenware fi nishes on fl oors and walls, while a central fi replace and clusters of armchairs nod to the conviviality of the Champagne tradition. The wine’s signature bubbles, meanwhile, are honoured with a perforated light sculpture that rises through the winding central staircase, setting the interior aglow with sparkling sunlight. Drawing on the ancient custom of storing Champagne in the local chalk and salt mines left behind by the Romans, the hotel is accessed via a cave-like unde rcroft entrance – an intriguing counterpoint to the bright- ness of the rest of the interior. For the connoisseurs that come here, the tasting tables, seminar spaces and bar demonstrate that this is a place where drinking Champagne is taken very seriously indeed. Complement these experiences with herbal-themed treatments in the cool sanctuary of the spa, and you have an unforgettable European adventure. Loisium.com – AMY BRADFORD CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The main dining area is softened with leather banquettes and chairs dressed in grey-blue fabric; all of the 101 guest rooms enjoy a view; the chefs table designed by Studio Jouin Manku has stools concealed in the table’s body; a light sculpture in the stairwell, inspired by Champagne. AD_047_144-147_Escape_Stay _12616842.indd 14704/10/2022 10:55:59 PMNext >