Project FARAH
Outdoor Chapel at Al-Fuheis Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Start Date: 15 April 2023 - Completion Date: 15 August 2023
Outdoor Chapel at Al-Fuheis Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Start Date: 15 April 2023 - Completion Date: 15 August 2023
Since earning his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the German Jordanian University in 2016, Arch. Hanna S. Qubti has had the privilege of bringing one of his own architectural designs to life — Project FARAH. This project holds deep personal significance, as it is both a tribute to a generous donation from his beloved grandfather, and a tribute to a historic142 years old structure, similar in age to the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Built in the 1880s by the residents of Al-Fuheis, the old church stands as the first Catholic/Latin church ever constructed for the predominantly Christian community in the area, making it an enduring symbol of faith and heritage.
The old church, 1920s.
The old down town of Fuheis, 1920s.
The original idea for the project came from the client, an 86 year-old traditionalist, who intended to build a small chapel in a neoclassical style within the plaza in front of the 142 years old church—an enclosed, full-story symmetrical structure with walls, columns, slabs, windows, and doors. However, through intense negotiations and diplomacy efforts, Qubti was able to shift the narrative towards creating an outdoor, multi-functional minimalist space that frames the old church in a modern way, celebrating its historical significance while also meeting the needs of the community.
Initial Concept Sketch of Project FARAH
A unique challenge presented itself due to the church's orientation—it is tilted on an axis at approximately 11 degrees perpendicular to the street. As a result, the site itself was not a perfect rectangle, but a right-angle trapezoid. This geometric irregularity was an essential factor in the design process. The project was conceptualized not just for religious functions such as prayers, weddings, and baptisms, but also as a versatile space for gatherings, graduation ceremonies, musical performances and moments of rest and reflection.
Qubti adopted a design that prioritizes the highest level of geometric purity and minimalism, ensuring that the architectural elements are both timeless and simple. The resulting space is one that honors the rich history of the church, while offering a functional, open environment for a variety of community activities.
Photographic Documentation of the Site Before and After Architectural Intervention:
Before
After
The plaza in front of the old church (project site) was cluttered with various arbitrary elements, lacking cohesion or relevance to the space’s historical and architectural significance. These elements seemed disconnected, creating a disjointed environment that detracted from the overall experience. The building materials used in the construction were also highly diverse, with no consideration for how they might complement the existing structure, thus failing to harmonize with the church and the immediate built environment. Furthermore, the vegetation and trees in the plaza, although providing greenery, sprawled across the space in a horizontal expansion, overtaking the area without contributing much in terms of aesthetic appeal, functionality, or enhancing the essence of the place. The result was a space that lacked focus and failed to honor the rich history of the church.
A Video about Project FARAH
Courtesy of REEM HALASEH
Project FARAH represents a significant milestone in Qubti’s architectural career and continues to serve as an invaluable learning experience. It provided him with the opportunity to showcase his expertise in design, project management, construction coordination, and navigating the various stages of the design and building process. The project presented considerable challenges, yet he is incredibly proud to see it realized as a tangible testament to his passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to architecture.
Before + After, Bird-Eye-View.
Members of the Clergy Engaging in Dialogue.
A Multifunctional Project, with Various Uses.
Besides its religious purposes, such as prayer, baptisms, and weddings, Project FARAH can accommodate a variety of other non-religious uses. It can serve as a stage for graduation ceremonies, a backdrop for musical performances, and even as a place for students to rest during their breaks, offering a versatile public space that enhances both spiritual and community experiences.
Besides its religious purposes, such as prayer, baptisms, and weddings, Project FARAH can accommodate a variety of other non-religious uses. It can serve as a stage for graduation ceremonies, a backdrop for musical performances, and even as a place for students to rest during their breaks, offering a versatile public space that enhances both spiritual and community experiences.
As a Stage for a Musical Performance.
As a Place to Rest for Students during their Break.
HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El-Hassan.
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Project FARMHOUSE (A_AO), Amman, Jordan.
(January 2024 - Present)
This project was designed and delivered for a family of six, a 184 sqm single-story farmhouse complemented by 420 sqm of thoughtfully crafted landscape design on a 6,000 sqm plot with an 18-meter variation in slope levels. The house embodies minimalist, industrial, and high-tech design values and is currently in the early stages of construction. This project harmoniously integrates the built environment with the surrounding landscape, creating a functional and visually appealing living space.
(January 2024 - Present)
This project was designed and delivered for a family of six, a 184 sqm single-story farmhouse complemented by 420 sqm of thoughtfully crafted landscape design on a 6,000 sqm plot with an 18-meter variation in slope levels. The house embodies minimalist, industrial, and high-tech design values and is currently in the early stages of construction. This project harmoniously integrates the built environment with the surrounding landscape, creating a functional and visually appealing living space.
A Realistic Render of the Main Elevation (AI-Enhanced).
Pictures from the Site:
