Lebanese architects have long shaped Beirut’s layered skyline while expanding their influence far beyond the country’s borders. Beirut’s cityscape is a constant contradiction; timeworn heritage buildings boasting ornate triple arches and iron wrought balconies are piled next to glittering skyscrapers and brutalist concrete facades. Lebanon’s built environment has been shaped by visionaries across eras, from modernist trailblazers like Joseph Philippe Karam to contemporary practitioners like Lina Ghotmeh. Many of these architects have also expanded their practice abroad, establishing themselves as international names.
Here are some of the most renowned Lebanese architects everyone should know:
Khalil Khoury (1929–2008)
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Khalil Khoury was a modernist pioneer and one of Lebanon’s foremost brutalist architects. Educated at the American University of Beirut, he co-founded an industrial design and architecture studio with his brother Georges, producing works that became landmarks of regional modernism. Projects include the Mont-La-Salle College, Jounieh Stadium, and the iconic Interdesign showroom, an internationally recognised brutalist building. A professor at AUB and a member of the Order of Engineers, Khoury was central to shaping Lebanon’s architectural discourse and urban policy. @khalilkhoury
Bernard Khoury
Khalil Khoury’s son, Bernard Khoury, studied architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard University. He founded DW5 after graduating, establishing a reputation for provocative interventions in post-war Beirut. Known for B018 nightclub, Centrale restaurant, and the Boiler Room, Khoury’s projects engage with memory, politics, and urban transformation. In 2008, he co-founded the Arab Center for Architecture, underlining his role as both a practitioner and a cultural thinker. @bernardkhourydw5
Youssef Haidar
Géraldine Bruneel
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Born in Baalbek in 1965, Youssef Haidar studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-La Villette before returning to Beirut in 1994 to found his practice. He has overseen major restoration and cultural projects, including the Soap Museum in Saida, the Omari Grand Mosque, and Beit Beirut, a memorial museum housed in a war-damaged landmark. A three-time finalist for the Aga Khan Award, Haidar is recognised for his dedication to heritage preservation and his ability to integrate memory into architecture. @youssefhaidararchitectestudio
Fouad Samara
Fouad Samara graduated with distinction from the University of Bath, where he was awarded the Sir Basil Spence Prize. After professional experience in Montreal and London, he founded Fouad Samara Architects in Beirut in 1997. His practice is rooted in contextual modernism, producing buildings that respond to Lebanon’s cultural and physical fabric. Notable works include Modulofts in Beirut and the Sheikh Nahyan Centre for Arabic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue at the University of Balamand, which won the Grand Prize at the Arab Architects Awards. @fouadsamara @fouadsamaraarch
Annabel Karim Kassar
Moreno Maggi
Moreno Maggi
French-Lebanese architect Annabel Karim Kassar graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and established AKK Architects in 1994. From her offices in Beirut, Milan, and Dubai, she has created projects across the hospitality and commercial sectors. Her practice combines modernist architecture with local craftsmanship, developing spaces that bridge tradition and innovation. Notable works include The Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman, the Ella Funt bistro in New York, and “The Lebanese House” installation at the Victoria and Albert Museum. @akk_architects
Raëd Abillama
Educated at the Rhode Island School of Design and Columbia University, Raëd Abillama began his career with Rafael Viñoly Architects in New York before founding his own practice in Beirut in 1997. His portfolio includes the award-winning IXSIR Winery in Batroun and a whole host of commercial projects across Lebanon. Known for his precise detailing and sensitivity to context, Abillama also co-founded Abillama Chaya Industrial Design, a company producing bespoke furniture. @raedabillamaarchitects
Lina Ghotmeh
Iwan Baan Photography
David Levene
Beirut-born Lina Ghotmeh established her Paris-based practice, Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture, after co-designing the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. Educated at the American University of Beirut, her philosophy of “Archaeology of the Future” integrates history, ecology, and craftsmanship. She is known for the Stone Garden tower in Beirut, the 22nd Serpentine Pavilion in London, and Ateliers Hermès in Normandy. Ghotmeh’s designs emphasise sustainability and cultural continuity, positioning her as one of the most innovative architects of her generation. @linaghotmeh_architecture @linaghotmeh
Elie Abs
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