W 60 cm x L 120 cm x H 40 cm

The city of Beirut has undergone an extensive cultural evolution throughout its long history, with different cultures and societies leaving their distinct imprint on the fabric of the city. Beginning with the Phoenicians, through the Romans, medieval Ottomans, French colonization, and most recent civil war, each phase builds upon the proceeding culture to build a new system. In keeping with this year's theme of Jungle Protocol, we examine the underlying order that binds the fabric of the city together through the historical plans of the city and through the historical typology of the urban 'town center'. If one is to understand the development of Beirut, then one must understand that each of these historical fabrics creates an underlying rationalization to a seemingly random growth. In addition to the extensive overlay of urban fabrics, the town square has continued to be a place for gathering and foundation throughout the city’s history. Beginning with its first incarnation as the Roman forum at the intersection of the Cardo and Decumanus, this center has continued it presence and importance through each successive culture. Further compounding this layering of fabrics, is the rigid boundary which defines this system. The urban fabric is bound by the sea and mountains, and is contained by this strict boundary. These historical layers of the city are broken down into their core elements – streets, city blocks, and town squares – which are then overlaid into a singular diagram which represents the culmination of each successive urban fabric into a subconscious unifying order. The rigid boundary of this system manifests itself not as an organic boundary, but as a pure rectangular prism – fitting the standards of a coffee table. This diagram is then suspended within a clear rectangular prism, and is expressed by polished stainless steel struts of equal size. At the center of this volume is a smaller volume - representing the archetypal town square - from which the diagram radiates, and rendered in gold plated stainless steel. The struts originate at this ‘town square’, extend to the boundaries, and continue to grow throughout the volume. This form manifests itself as a table, a sculpture, a diagram for the city, the Jungle Protocol. “Designed by Founder Michel Abboud and Associate Steven Townsend"