Black Ember- Lattouf residence, Baabdat, Lebanon.

The Black Ember Residence in Baabdat is envisioned as a dwelling without boundaries, an architecture that flows with its landscape and dissolves the threshold between house and horizon. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Lebanon’s mountains, the residence gently descends into the land’s natural gradient, rooting itself into place while unfolding toward the sweeping panorama beyond.

Inspired by the diagonals of the surrounding ridges, walls and frameless openings are strategically oriented to capture expansive southeast views while shielding the home from neighboring sightlines. Movement through the house is choreographed to reveal vistas: steps and pathways connect indoor and outdoor zones, drawing the eye toward the horizon. Upon entry, a central patio emerges as a transformative gateway, linking exterior and interior through a fluid sequence of spaces.

At the core of the residence lies a U-shaped layout: one wing opening toward the mountains, the other toward the road, both embracing a central garden that breathes vitality into the home. This green sanctuary blurs the boundary between inside and out—sunlight filters through, breezes circulate freely, and greenery anchors daily life. Continuity extends across all zones, culminating at the infinity pool, where nature and architecture converge.

Materiality reinforces this dialogue with the land: an exterior shell of engineered black stone grounds the residence in its rugged context, while warm wooden interiors bring intimacy and comfort. The interplay of stone, wood, glass, and steel creates a balance of solidity and transparency, weight and lightness.
More than a home, the Black Ember Residence is a living conversation with its setting, where walls frame landscapes, spaces breathe with nature, and architecture becomes an extension of the mountains themselves.