A Beirut Apartment Blends Midcentury Modern and Antique Design
Exploring the cultural crossroads of modernist and antique furniture in a historic Beirut home.
1The Allure of Beirut's Modernist Architecture
Guillaume Excoffier, a French dealer turned interior designer, became fascinated by Beirut's modernist buildings from the 1950s to mid-1970s. These structures, built during a period of rapid economic growth, include Brutalist office buildings and concrete basilicas. Many were designed with Middle Eastern adaptations like shade structures and breezeways. Despite global conflicts, these architectural gems remain, though some, like Oscar Niemeyer's Tripoli International Fair plans, were never completed.
2A Personal Connection to History
Excoffier's interest in Beirut's modernist architecture turned personal as he sought to live within this history. In 2023, he found his ideal space in Ashrafieh, a stylish neighborhood east of Beirut's center. The 1952 apartment building features 13-foot-tall ceilings and large windows opening onto terraces with views of traditional Levantine and contemporary high-rises. Excoffier removed outdated renovations, creating a blank canvas with concrete floors and period-appropriate windows.
3The Apartment's Unique Design Elements
The apartment showcases a mix of midcentury modern and antique furniture. Iconic pieces include a 1983 Aldo Rossi cabinet, Robert Mallet Stevens chairs, and John Baldessari photographs. The bathroom features Winckelmans tile and Hansgrohe fittings, while the kitchen is crowned by a Fortuny pendant. Excoffier's design blends functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating a space that feels both historic and contemporary.
4Cultural Crossroads in Design
Excoffier aimed to mix 1980s furniture with pre-20th-century pieces, inspired by a Mica Ertegun auction. This blend includes Biedermeier furniture, which streamlined opulent Empire styles and influenced modernism. In the drawing room, Philippe Starck’s Dr. Sonderbar seats face Josef Hoffmann’s Purkersdorf chairs, creating a dialogue between eras. The apartment reflects Beirut's eclectic spirit, where minimalism is rare and gatherings of 40 people are considered small.
5The Philosophy of Living with Antiques
Excoffier challenges the notion that antiques must be 'froufrou and château-like.' Instead, he creates sharp, intellectually stimulating groupings. For example, a circa 1810 Biedermeier cabinet in the dining room shares the same pyramid top as Aldo Rossi’s postmodern cabinet in the drawing room. This approach highlights the relationships between pieces of different eras, making the apartment a living museum of design history.
6Global Inspirations and Local Craftsmanship
Excoffier's design firm, Gabriel et Guillaume, reflects his global perspective and local collaborations. The apartment features Moroccan zellige tiles, Arts and Crafts–style stools produced locally, and a tapestry by Julien Michaud. Excoffier’s treasure-hunting ethos extends to markets worldwide, whether searching for a Jean Royère piece or a simple soap tray, blending high and low design elements seamlessly.
7The Apartment as a Social Space
The apartment is designed for social interaction, with spaces that encourage conversation. The dining room, for instance, features a 1991 Franz West chandelier and Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi’s Chippendale chairs around a concrete table. The drawing room’s eclectic mix of chairs—from Philippe Starck to André Dubreuil—creates a dynamic setting reminiscent of Beirut’s vibrant cocktail party scene.
8A Testament to Beirut's Resilient Spirit
Excoffier’s apartment is more than a home; it’s a testament to Beirut’s resilient and eclectic spirit. By preserving and reinterpreting modernist and antique designs, he honors the city’s architectural and cultural legacy. The space serves as a reminder of Beirut’s historical significance as a crossroads of ideas, aesthetics, and people, even amid global conflicts and challenges.