MIR AMIN PALACE HOTEL
Shouf – Lebanon , Renovated in 1965

Over 40% of the Mir Amin Palace was in ruins. One complete ward did not exist and the surrounding landscape was left with no maintenance for a very long time. The program was to restore the whole building back to its original state and to extend upon it more spaces as it was to serve as a Hotel.

Then main point in the program was to restore and maintain all heritage values that the Palace holds. The work was therefore done considering all and every design aspect from overall planning down to detail of chandeliers and door handles. The palace of Mir Beshir or Beiteddine was used as an example and a main reference in the design and the reconstruction of the Mir Amin Palace. The first is several times larger than the second, and was built by the same builders and therefore had the same style even the same details.

The extension is for more bedrooms on the second floor and has a sat back from the courtyard edge so their volume would not impose upon the original ambiance that this main public courtyard has.

The importance of the Mir Amin Palace lies beyond its physical existence as a building. It is a symbol of national pride for having been the residence of a Lebanese prince who symbolize Lebanese sovereignty which has always existed before the independence. This historical value reinforces the identity of the Lebanese and their socio-cultural belonging. Lebanese from all around Lebanon and from other countries visit this hotel on daily trips as they visit Beiteddine to look back and pride. The Palace stands as a monument for the people and the state of this country.