From October 22 to 26, 2025, We Design Beirut will once again transform the capital into a stage for creativity, culture and architectural discovery. More than a design event, the second edition is a celebration of legacy, revival and continuity, where some of Lebanon’s most remarkable historic and modernist landmarks are brought to life through free exhibitions. Here, we learn more about the significance of each of the five locations selected this year. 

1. Abroyan Factory

Abroyan Factory by Dia Mrad

Tucked away in Beirut’s industrial quarter, the abandoned Abroyan textile factory spans 14,000 square meters and carries the memory of Lebanon’s once-flourishing industry. Built in three stages between the 1940s and 1970s, the vast concrete complex has stood silent for decades. This October, it will be reawakened as a hub for craftsmanship. Two major exhibitions, “Threads of Life” and “Métiers d’Art,” will pay homage to Lebanon’s artisanal heritage, showcasing textile arts and pairing artisans with contemporary designers to push the limits of technique and form.

2. Burj el Murr

Burj El Murr by Dia Mrad

The unfinished Burj el Murr, Beirut’s infamous war-scarred tower remains one of the city’s most haunting urban landmarks. For We Design Beirut, its stark concrete frame becomes the setting for Design “‘In’ Conflict,” a student exhibition curated by Teymour Khoury and Yasmina Mahmoud with Archifeed, alongside Tarek Mahmoud and Youssef Bassil. Supported by Solidere, the project explores how conflict shapes architecture and identity, bringing together the work of students from nine Lebanese universities in a space that itself embodies Lebanon’s turbulent history.

3. Villa Audi

Villa Audi by Walid Rashid

Once a private residence and later a museum, Villa Audi is one of Beirut’s most elegant heritage homes. Its grand architecture now sets the stage for “Totems of the Present and the Absent,” an exhibition curated by Gregory Gatserelia in tribute to SMO Gallery, the platform he founded to champion Lebanese design. Here, Villa Audi becomes both a container of memory and a celebration of contemporary creative voices.

4. The Roman Baths

Roman Baths by Dia Mrad

Hidden in the heart of downtown Beirut, the Roman Baths are a reminder of the city’s deep layers of history. Once a place of gathering and cleansing, the site will be reimagined through Of Water and Stone, a marble design exhibition curated by Nour Osseiran and produced with Stones by Rania Malli. This installation revives the baths’ ancient spirit of connection, fusing material innovation with timeless rituals.

5. Immeuble de l’Union

Union Building by Marwan Harmouche

In Sanayeh, the modernist Immeuble de l’Union stands as a landmark of Beirut’s mid-20th-century architecture. Designed in the 1950s and currently undergoing meticulous renovation by architect Karim Nader, the building reflects the city’s cycles of change. As part of the festival, it will host “Union: A Journey Through Architecture and Light,” a retrospective exhibition by Nader in collaboration with Atelier33. The space will also showcase Rising with Purpose, highlighting the next generation of Lebanese designers under 30 — a vision of continuity rooted in heritage yet looking firmly toward the future.

Excursions Beyond Beirut

International Fair Tripoli by Karim Sakr

Saoula Raouda Choucair Foundation

We Design Beirut extends its reach with curated tours. In Tripoli, visitors will explore the International Fair designed by Oscar Niemeyer — a modernist masterpiece and one of his most ambitious projects outside Brazil — with discussions on its cultural significance and potential for revival. Another excursion leads to the mountains, where the Saloua Raouda Choucair Foundation preserves the legacy of Lebanon’s pioneering abstract artist. Designed by Choucair herself, the foundation blends architecture, nature, and art, offering an intimate glimpse into her world and enduring influence.

View the full program on wedesignbeirut.com.

If you enjoyed reading this check out our Agenda for more events happening this month.