ABC Department Store, the face a department store shows to the world is often of similar import to its success as the wares contained within. ABC, the largest such store in Beirut, asked nARCHITECTS to revise their image- a relic of 1980s construction and bring it into keeping with the quality and flare of their featured merchandise.
Courtesy of nARCHITECTS
On the most prominent volume, and aluminum screen makes use of the company’s logo as a basis for cut-outs which provide views inside and out while also shading and reflecting solar gains with its light color. At night, the appearance of this screen takes on a wholly different character, backlit from behind and becoming something of a beacon shown out over the nearby coastal waters. At street level on the main volume’s long-running 217 facade, an artistic glass and light rod installation gives passersby brief views into the cafe within, while offering diners a dramatic view over the Mediterranean Sea.
Courtesy of nARCHITECTSCourtesy of nARCHITECTS
The store is composed of four volumes of similar proportions and facade treatments. Each makes use, in some way, of the logo-inspired cut-out. Whether it be cut from a screen or used as a field of ornaments, these inclusions create a continuity that ties the forms together despite color and material differences.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.