RG/A​ ​transform​ ​nightlife​ ​with​ ​launch​ ​of​ ​new​ ​nightclub,​ ​AHM, on​ ​up​ ​and​ ​coming​ ​Beirut​ ​Waterfront

Architecture​ ​firm​ ​RG/A​ ​is​ ​continuing​ ​with​ ​its​ ​transformation of​ ​Beirut’s​ ​nightlife​ ​with​ ​the​ ​launch​ ​of​ ​AHM​ ​–​ ​a ground-breaking​ ​dance​ ​pantheon​ ​located​ ​in​ ​Beirut,​ ​Lebanon. Anchored​ ​on​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​Waterfront​ ​District,​ ​the​ ​new nightclub​ ​is​ ​situated​ ​on​ ​1200-square-metres​ ​of​ ​reclaimed land​ ​and​ ​features​ ​a​ ​temple-like​ ​open​ ​top​ ​design​ ​that​ ​aims​ ​to reignite​ ​the​ ​imagination​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​club-goers.

Image © Walid Rachid

Drawing​ ​inspiration​ ​from​ ​the​ ​surrounding​ ​Mediterranean Sea,​ ​mast-like​ ​structures​ ​and​ ​linear​ ​lighting​ ​dominate​ ​the space,​ ​mirroring​ ​the​ ​formation​ ​of​ ​a​ ​ship​ ​on​ ​the​ ​sea​ ​and referring​ ​to​ ​Lebanon’s​ ​seafaring​ ​ancestors,​ ​who​ ​would embark​ ​on​ ​journeys​ ​that​ ​took​ ​them​ ​to​ ​the​ ​“ends​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Earth”.

Image © Walid Rachid

A​ ​circular​ ​focal​ ​point​ ​remains​ ​a​ ​constant​ ​within​ ​the​ ​space, emulating​ ​the​ ​iconic​ ​rising​ ​sun​ ​or​ ​a​ ​full​ ​moon​ ​and​ ​drawing eyes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​neighbouring​ ​cityscape​ ​outside.​ ​The​ ​vertical components​ ​play​ ​with​ ​light​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​wayfaring​ ​sense​ ​of nostalgia​ ​and​ ​openness.

Image © Walid Rachid

Other​ ​design​ ​elements​ ​within​ ​the​ ​club​ ​can​ ​adapt​ ​to​ ​the rolling​ ​itinerary​ ​of​ ​themed​ ​nights,​ ​allowing​ ​adventurers​ ​to immerse​ ​themselves​ ​in​ ​an​ ​alternative​ ​voyage​ ​on​ ​each​ ​visit and​ ​create​ ​their​ ​own​ ​story​ ​within​ ​their​ ​minds.

Image © Walid Rachid

A​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​AHM​ ​allows​ ​visitors​ ​to​ ​escape​ ​reality​ ​and​ ​create​ ​a narrative​ ​that​ ​only​ ​they​ ​will​ ​experience.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​this​ ​that distinguishes​ ​it​ ​from​ ​the​ ​usual​ ​nightlife​ ​experience;​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not about​ ​being​ ​seen,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​about​ ​creating​ ​their​ ​own interpretation​ ​of​ ​their​ ​surroundings.

Image © Walid Rachid

AHM​ ​took​ ​3​ ​months​ ​from​ ​conception​ ​to​ ​completion,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a challenging​ ​journey​ ​and​ ​a​ ​thrill​ ​watching​ ​the​ ​project​ ​set​ ​sail on​ ​opening​ ​night!

– Rabih​ ​Geha

Image © Walid Rachid

In​ ​a​ ​long-term​ ​bid​ ​to​ ​metamorphose​ ​Beirut’s​ ​current nightlife​ ​set-up,​ ​Geha​ ​explores​ ​authentic​ ​ways​ ​of​ ​telling​ ​a project’s​ ​story​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​in​ ​an​ ​experience​ ​that​ ​lasts​ ​forever.

Image © Walid Rachid

Image © Walid Rachid

Image © Walid Rachid

Image © Walid Rachid

Facts
Project: AHM
Architect: Rabih Geha Architects
Type: Nightclub
Location: Biel, Beirut, Lebanon
Area:  1200 sqm
Year: July 2017
Illustration credit: Rabih Geha Architects
Photo credit: Walid Rashid