B
ased in Beirut and Milan, T Sakhi is an architecture and
design studio co-founded by Lebanese-Polish sisters Tessa and
Tara Sakhi, whose stated aim is to produce “designs that
provoke new modes of human interaction, questioning our
contemporary understandings of identity and living.”
The manifestations of this intriguing – and artistically
interpreted – proposition have recently included a “series of urban
interventions” across the formerly war-torn city the firm calls
home. The project, called ‘Holidays in the Sun’ saw the firm
making a similarly empowered stance to the ironic Sex Pistols song
it alludes to, turning the metal security barriers seen all over Beirut
into stools and housings for greenery.
The project was an attempt to bring some respite to the citizens of
a city not only rife with political instability, but also unfinished
construction projects. The practice notes: “The only real public
spaces in Beirut are the streets; the city is over-constructed,
congested with buildings and construction sites. There is barely any
greenery for the citizens to enjoy or to feel free in their own city.”T Sakhi’s work gives the local community a chance to engage with
what public space there is.Origins
The firm’s genesis occurred “very organically,” says Tessa Sakhi.
From their time studying for their degrees together, they have
enjoyed collaborating on projects. “When our first client came to us
(for an interior project), it was only natural to start working on it
together. We haven’t stopped since then,” Tessa explains.
A couple of projects later, in 2016, the sisters decided to set up
their own studio, “while maintaining a flexibility for our common
and separate interests.” Tara admits that their diverse range of skills- centred around architecture but extending into a myriad of
creative endeavours – could be a double-edged sword: “In the
beginning, people often asked us whether we were architects,
designers or artists. Our response was we simply do what we love
and what moves us. We are curious to intersect our different
interests and watch the results.”
A practice run by two sisters, T Sakhi is embracing the challenges as well
as potential of their home city, Beirut, in order to make architectural
interventions which help improve urban living in a difficult contextT Sakhi
PRACTICE PROFILE
FLEETING HEARTS
A transportable structure transforms a Beirut seaside landmark into an open air club
© Tony EliehHOLIDAYS IN THE SUN
A series of ‘urban interventions’ brought Beirut citizens greenery as well as furniture
© Tony Elieh16INSIGHTSWWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF NOVEMBER 2019
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