The Opening of the Blue House Beirut
On 30th March 2023, trustees of the Honor Frost Foundation, the HFF Lebanon team and representatives from ALBA (Académie Libanaise des Beaux Arts), as well as the Directorate General of Antiquities, Beirut Heritage Initiative and many other guests gathered to celebrate the opening of the Blue House.
On 4th August 2020, an horrific explosion occurred at the port of Beirut. The house known as Medawar 479 suffered major structural damage due to its proximity to the port and the centre of the explosion. This house is a well-known landmark, thanks to its brilliant blue façade and location in Gemmayzeh, an area that developed in the mid-19th century. The Blue House has the typology of the typical Beiruti house: a central hall plan on three levels, surmounted by a pyramidal roof made of Marseille tiles. Due to its architectural importance, the house was chosen by the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) and the newly-formed Beirut Heritage Initiative (BHI) for restoration, and the Honor Frost Foundation stepped in to help.
The Foundation is proud to have supported this stunning renovation and, as its base in Lebanon, the Blue House will play an important role in the further development of maritime archaeology in the country, as well as capacity building for heritage, one of the Foundation’s key aims.
The current exhibition is dedicated to the maritime landscapes of Byblos and Anfeh, in addition to a showcase on Honor Frost and her contribution to the field of maritime archaeology in Lebanon. The exhibition also highlights the recent activities undertaken by the HFF Lebanon team, led by Dr Lucy Semaan.
Additionally, HFF invited ALBA (Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts) to take part in the opening. The students used this opportunity to interact with the building through a series of thought-provoking installations reflecting upon the Blue House and the history of Beirut. This student-led art exhibition, entitled Once Upon a Blue House, will remain open until the end of June 2023.
For more information on events and exhibitions at Blue House, please follow the Instagram, TikTok, or email. The Blue House is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00-18:00, or by appointment.
