Issue no. 5 SEPTEMBER 2013

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1 Issue no. 5 SEPTEMBER 2013 The Future of Construction Technology / Waterproofing of Buildings / Façade Preservation / Demolition of Old Buildings / Lawn: The Green Side of Architecture / Afnor Middle East Launches the ISO 50001:2001 Certification / Infrastructure Strategies, Natural Purification / Project Lebanon 2013 / Law and Order Building & Co SEPTEMBER

2 18 Building & Co SEPTEMBER 2013

3 Sami Andraos Civil Engineer L Armonial is the first real estate project in Lebanon primarily focused on the preservation of the Lebanese architectural heritage, which is now endangered. Façade Preservation L Armonial project - located at Abdel Wahab El Inglizi Street-Ashrafieh. Combining the patrimonial and modern buildings. This single initiative supported by the efforts of Greenstone, positions L Armonial project as the only Lebanese project having taken into consideration the country s architectural heritage by rehabilitating and incorporating an old facade into a modern building while maintaining quality and comfort, as well as integrating luxury & exclusive standard services: Heated swimming pool, gymnasium, spa, wine cellar, visitor parking etc.. Through L Armonial, Greenstone paves the way for a new approach to the promotion of real estate development. Greenstone managed to deliver an exceptional product to a privileged clientele seeking the acquisition of properties that can be passed on to future generations. The patrimonial building dating from the early 20th century was built in two stages: the 1920s saw the birth of the first two floors, the 3rd & 4th floors were subsequently completed in the 1940/1950 s. Greenstone contributed to the patrimonial building by adding two more floors. The evolution of the building throughout the years saw minor differences in the details present in balconies and window frames. The subtle addition of the latest two floors thus allowed for a transition from an architectural heritage building to a Tower, while ingeniously and harmoniously combining between patrimonial and contemporary characteristics. The process of renovating the building can take place once the consolidation of the façade is completed, thus merging between the charm of yesterday and modern amenities. Greenstone appointed the technical controller APAVE to undertake various basic missions (life & fire safety, proper functioning of equipment, waterproofing, external cladding, etc...), as well as special missions such as ones related to acoustical insulation, thermal insulation and handicapped access. L Armonial will provide all the charm of a historic building with the comfort and flexibility of modern construction. Building & Co SEPTEMBER

4 The preservation of the façade of the patrimonial building was done in six separate stages as follows: Construction of the front basements (2 basements): Once the pit at the front side of the existing façade was excavated, the concrete structure of the Wine Cellar was cast. Shoring and excavation of the front part of the old building: The consolidation & preservation of the existing façade started in a proactive manner, by executing a micro-shoring system for the future Wine Cellar structure located underground along the front side of the existing façade. Façade consolidation with a metallic structure: A steel structure was designed to hold the façade and to resist seismic loads. The steel structure was anchored to the Wine Cellar concrete structure and attached to the old façade at several locations and floor levels. 20 Building & Co SEPTEMBER 2013

5 Cutting of the back of the building while preserving the consolidated old façade: The walls & slabs of the existing building were cut and removed away and the consolidated façade was detached. This was carefully executed to protect and preserve the consolidated façade. Shoring and excavation of the whole plot: A 30-meter deep pit for the new building which included the footprints of the old existing building was shored and excavated; following which Greenstone resumed the construction of the new project. Steel structure removal: In the final phase, Greenstone achieved its objective by merging the old existing façade with the new building, while the steel structure holding the old façade was removed. Building & Co SEPTEMBER