Capsule Retreat: EAST Architecture Studio’s Monochromatic Art Sanctuary in the Lebanese Mountains

Project Info

Project Name: Capsule Retreat

Architects: EAST Architecture Studio

Collaborator: Dia Azzawi (Iraqi Artist and Sculptor)

Location: Zabbougha, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon

The Modesty of the Monolith: Blending with the Mount Lebanon Landscape

In the rolling terrain of Mount Lebanon, where ancient sandstone meets pine forests, the Capsule Retreat stands as a sophisticated study in contradiction: an architectural statement achieved through extreme restraint. Designed by EAST Architecture Studio, this private residence in the village of Zabbougha successfully merges the demands of a contemporary lifestyle, a high-value art collection, and a profound respect for the regional vernacular. The home is an architectural anomaly that manages to look both profoundly rooted and strikingly modern.

Sculptural roof screen conceals utilities while framing outdoor dining, illustrating Dia Azzawi's artistic collaboration in blending function with poetic form

The architects deliberately eschewed grand, imposing forms, choosing instead a low-lying, 400 m2 volume that appears to gently submerge into the hillside. This contextual sensitivity is key, allowing the structure to harmonize with the existing "patchwork of rural construction" rather than disrupting it. From the exterior, the house looks deceptively modest, preserving the tranquility of the mountain setting.

Subtle graffiti on concrete evokes regional memory amid olive trees, leading into the project's ethical dialogue between art, landscape, and cultural stillness

Concrete: A Canvas of Time and Texture

The material language of the Capsule Retreat is defined by a rigorous, monochromatic palette dominated by exposed concrete. This choice is far from brutalist in the traditional sense; it is a celebration of local craft and texture. Local craftspeople prepared and cast the concrete using timber formwork sourced directly from the region. This process leaves indelible, wood-grain imprints on the concrete surfaces—unique textures that give the walls a warm, tactile quality and visually anchor the building to the nearby forests.

Snow-dusted form nestles against olive groves, emphasizing the design's seasonal resilience and seamless embedding in Lebanon's alpine vernacular

Inside, these concrete surfaces function as a neutral, museum-quality backdrop for the homeowner’s extensive collection of contemporary art. The double-height, open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area forms the heart of the retreat. Sculptural interior elements, like the capsule-shaped kitchen island and monolithic partitions, echo the building’s minimalist geometry while introducing subtle, curved forms that soften the concrete’s rigor.

Curving concrete form embeds into the Lebanese hillside at dusk, embodying EAST's modest integration with Mount Lebanon's forests for a rooted, modern sanctuary

The Art of Concealment: Collaboration with Dia Azzawi

The project’s integration of art and architecture is elevated by the collaboration with Iraqi artist and sculptor Dia Azzawi. His influence is most notably seen in the bespoke, sculptural roof screen. This custom-designed element serves a critical, dual function: it acts as a dramatic, artistic crown for the building while discreetly hiding necessary mechanical and utility equipment, transforming practical necessities into poetic interventions. Azzawi’s touch extends to other crafted pieces, including a striking outdoor pizza oven and the dining table, ensuring that the dialogue between art and dwelling is complete and continuous.

Exposed concrete walls showcase sculptures against panoramic views, highlighting the retreat's dual role as home and gallery with textured neutrality

The Capsule Retreat ultimately succeeds in creating a secluded, self-contained sanctuary. It uses thick, protective walls to filter the external world, turning the focus inward to the curated art and outward to the framed beauty of the Lebanese landscape. It is a powerful architectural realization of a home where art, place, and stillness converge.

PHOTO CREDITS: Wallpaper Magazine