Year 2023
Dubai Design Week
The project was initially designed to respond to the urban fabric of Beirut, where green spaces occupy only 0.8% of the land compared to 7% for parking. The Hives have proven adaptable to various cities, as parking lots are easy to transform and show potential for regenerative communal practices. The insistence on modular structure and materials responds to this transformative nature; should a parking lot transition into a construction site, the structure can be relocated or repurposed for continued production.
In 2023, Urban Hives was showcased at Dubai Design Week, commissioned by BMW Middle East. This collaboration highlighted the project's adaptability and potential for integrating green spaces into urban environments.
By transforming underutilized urban spaces into community gardens, Urban Hives not only addresses environmental challenges but also fosters social engagement, building community spirit and encouraging the preservation of public green spaces—key components of a sustainable city.
Concept and Design: Nathalie Harb
Project Development: Gabriele Pascolini
Assistant architect: Alex Tzortzis de Paz
Activation Program Curator: Joanne Hayek
Project management: Sosai Events
Construction: Simple Solutions GCC
Visual communication: Joseph Kai
Consultancy: Dietmar Üeberbacher
Photography: Rami Mansour