Mira Baba
Lebanon
miragbaba@gmail.com
Education
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, American University of Beirut Beirut-Lebanon Honor list in Spring 2014 2011- 2015 Rawdat Al Fayhaa High school Tripoli- Lebanon Lebanese Baccalaureate in General Sciences 1995-2011
Professional Experience
Landscape consultant El-Mirador forest and promenade conceptual design in Lebanon Residential Garden in Ghana August-September 2015 Intern Advance Constructions and Development LTD Accra, Ghana July-August 2015 Worked on surveying, plant data base and developing conceptual designs for several projects in lakeside estate including community gardens, water-themed park, outdoor events area, green cemetery Intern Tom Engineering and Construction Company Tripoli, Lebanon June-July 2014 Worked on developing preliminary garden designs for a residential compound
+ 961 71 043002
Certifications
Design: Creation of Artefacts in Society January 2014 Designing cities January 2014 Water and biodiversity April 2012
Skills
•Autocad •Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign •Sketchup •Rhino •Beginner in ArcGIS •Language skills: Arabic, English, French
Memberships
American Society of Landscape Architects students affiliate member September 2015- present AUB Greenpeace member September 2012- May 2013 Designed posters for awareness campaigns AUB Landscape Society member September 2011- May 2012 Attended workshops and lectures on landscape architecture issues
Create Communities for people, Habitats for nature and Connect them both
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Re-visioning the Past: Towards a Cultural City Entrance Type: Post-industrial Location: Tripoli, Lebanon Design Stage: Design Development Project Statement: In a country where railways and public transportation are abandoned and neglected, initiating a tramway between two major cities in Lebanon -Beirut & Tripoli- was hope for a developing country. Formerly a railway station and designed to be a tram stop, the project seeks to transform the post-industrial site into a pleasant and cultural tram stop reflecting the city’s identity; as being the new city entry point while evoking the history of the significant railway station that helped in shaping the city’s identity.
Highlighted Practices Create habitat for sea birds
Reuse of on-site material
Provide a community hub
Preserve a historical site
Timeline: A forgotten valuable site Civil War Damaged Lebanese Railways
Local Community Funding for Tripoli-Aleppo Line
Rayak-Aleppo line
Nationalization of Tripoli Station
Launching of “Friends of Tripoli Railway Station� to preserve the site
Syrian Army Base
Tripoli Station linked to Beirut Station
Beirut-Damascus line
Station to public for two days for the 100th anniversary of station
Neglected
Dynamic
Vibrant
Abandoned Active
Wild
Current Plan: Vegetation taking over the past
Possibily of a tramway Beirut-Tripoli
Project Vision based on Community Analysis & Participation
Concept| Linearity and Convergence of the rails
Site Story| An old passenger’s experience
Changes in the station were mapped and a site story brings back the history of a passenger coming all the way from the old city to the train station. It first starts with a khan that represents the old city; then a citrus promenade garden that brings back the experience of city/station link through the citrus orchards, reaching to a plaza which represents the train station being the most active space and it ends with different scenic landscape characters that recall the different landscape scenes of a train traveller.
In order to turn the site into a vibrant community space again and to recreate the sense of community ownership, the design vision was based on the local community’s assets and inspirations. To make this space more community-oriented, and to reflect the identity of Tripoli, hidden talents like the arts that need to be exposed and small crafts that are disappearing were incorporated in the design program. In addition, an analysis of how people are using public spaces followed, to see what kind of activities can be incorporated in the site. The vision of the site was therefore to turn the site into a cultural city entrance that is community-oriented. Three main layers guided the design strategy 1. Tram stop: to offer a pleasant stop for passengers 2. History of the station: to evoke memories of the past 3. Community: to expose the community’s talents
Masterplan| A space for the community
skate park Railway Library Garden Promenade
Khan
Public Square
Locomotives Garden Market Avenue
Burj Al Sibaa Historical Area
Central Plaza Tram Plaza
Arts Square
Tram Stop
Program| overlap of activities and functions Viewing Platforms Furniture & Woodworks Workshops Furniture & Woodworks Market
Skateboarding Elements Amphitheater
Events Space
Promenade Plaza
Tram line| User’s experience
Tram Line
Art Gallery Land Art
Outdoor reading Gardens
Promenade & Market Avenue Reuse of on-site material use of rails for benches
Preserve a historical site Locomotives as museum pieces
Provide a Community Hub Market of local products
Skate park & Plaza Create a habitat for seabirds Vegetation Attracting sea birds
Provide a Community hub benches and skateboard
Reuse of on-site material Old Platforms Transformed to new seating areas
Burj Al Sibaa Historical area, Arts square & Railway Library
Reuse of on-site material Old rails used as land art
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Living Memorials Type: Cemeteries Location: Accra, Ghana Design Stage: Conceptual Design Project Statement: The project aims to design sustainable cemetery sides for christian and muslim communities of the Lakeside estate in Accra, that become a symbolic meditative meeting point for the communities rather than a place for sorrow. In addition to caring for the deceased with minimal environmental impact, the cemeteries become a lively part of the community where a tree becomes a living memorial to the deceased.
Highlighted Practices Green Burial
Bring in different communities
Increase Biodiversity
Cemeteries Plan
Parking
Churh
Mosque
Qiblah
Green Burial
+ 5 years
East
Conceptual Design
Guiding Design Lines
Muslim Cemetery
Christian Cemetery
Lines following the east, representing the christian burials and lines following Qiblah, representing the muslim burials are translated into lines of trees as unifying elements in both cemeteries. Pathways connect the two cemeteries to create promenades and allees transforming them into a green and dynamic space for the community where plants are alternatives to stones marking the deceased. Planting a tree or a bush will carry on in honor of the deceased and would also create a habitat for different species.
Bring in different communities + 20 years
Increase Biodiversity
+ 30 years
Site Design Steps Site and Context
Streetscapes to enhance surrounding landscape & connect to site
Mosque & Church yards
Parking encouraging direct pedestrian access
Trees in cemeteries following East & Qiblah lines
Overall Conceptual Design
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Exploration: Look-outs within a forest Type: Forest & look-outs Location: Terbol, Lebanon Design Stage: Conceptual Design Project Statement: The site is to be designed as a forested area on the highest point of El Mirador project. The forest or grove would allow the visitors to gain knowledge of the area, while exploring different views and characters. It promotes biodiversity and connects people to nature by pathways that go through the different moods and spaces of the site. The features and conditions of the site (such as the views it offers, the steep slopes etc.) are taken into consideration and worked with to be part of the design rather than being only technically solved.
Highlighted Practices Increase Vegetative Cover
Encourage physical activity
Access to views
Proposed Design
1: Entrance area 2: Inner Viewing decks 3: Natural seating areas 4: Outer viewing decks 5: Glade 6: Plaza with views
The site is designed to be a natural attraction for people that encourages exploration and discovery. The program includes the following: -Pathways and trails that offer different experiences for the visitors -Outer views towards the adjacent cities -Calm and quiet Inner views towards the site and the vegetation characters -Plaza with different services -Glade where events and forest activities would take place The glade and the two natural seating areas are connected and become part of the trail, and they offer paths to the outer viewing areas platforms and to a small plaza that is the most dynamic space on site. Most importantly, the entrance area is welcoming and overlooks everything to make people more curious about exploring the site.
All along the trail and while moving from a space to another, the visitor would pass by different characters and experiences: from a forest feel with vegetation beneath, to a grove feel, to a more open space with low vegetation and bushes.
Forest feel
Grove feel
Openness feel
Access to views towards site
Increase Vegetative Cover
increasing biodiversity & controlling erosion
Encourage Physical Activity
Through pathways & trails
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Dynamic Waterscape Type: Recreational Location: Accra, Ghana Design Stage: Conceptual Design Project Statement: Design a water-themed park concept that blends well with the natural setting, and a family oriented park with different experiences and activities enhancing the love of the nature in general and tropical landscape in particular.
Highlighted Practices Stimulate love of nature
increase user experiences
Site & Context
Water-themed Park
Surrounding Landscape character
Lake
Concept & Design
The concept follows the natural water flow from a water source to a water body through the tributaries
The stream water diagram is translated into a water themed park where each source represents a water play, and each has a character similar to that of the journey of water canal
The water themed park starts dynamic, vibrant and active through the provided pools and activites, and it ends with the lazy river which becomes a contemplative and meditative pool that blends well with the natural setting of the lake.
increase user experiences
Stimulate love of nature
Different activities are incorporated in the park. Outdoor restaurant, kids pool, basketball game pools with surrounding sunloungers area; in addition to secluded vegetated areas in the middle of the tropical forest.
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Community gardens: to a better living Type: Recreational Location: Accra, Ghana Design Stage: Conceptual Design Project Statement: Lakeside estate main aim is to provide affordable homes for all types of communities. The Super Affordable Flats project provides residences for low income communities. The flats that can accomodate almost ten families surround a courtyard that is worked around to be a community garden.
Highlighted Practices Community Gathering
Selfsufficiency
Expansion of living space
Green infrastructure
Design Approach Flooding was a main concern for this area. The natural slope of the site was worked with to create bioswales and raingardens that do not only direct stormwater and runoff, but also add aesthetic value to the site as the rain gardens become private secluded gardens for each family
Site
Raingardens & Bioswale
The courtyard is made of a community garden where lots are assigned to the families, and a community square for gatherings.The aim was to expand the small living space of the families to provide them with self-sufficiency and quality living.
Communcal Fruit trees & vegetable lots
Communitty Square
Conceptual Design
Communal Fruit trees Community Square Kids Area
Community Gardening
Private Gardens
Community Gathering
Green Infrastructure
Selfsufficiency
Expansion of living space
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Group Work
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Topography & water collection: a user friendly strategy for small scale sites Type: Ecological Location: Baabda, Lebanon Design Stage: Design Development Project Statement: Water shortages and drought are now a worldwide issue. Big strategies and plans are being proposed to collect water and manage stormwater from large scale sites. This projects gives a proposal on how to collect water and practice sustainability in small scale topographic sites. The project consists of a parking for College Melkart surrounded by hills where erosions, water runoff and uncontrolled water direction happen. This is a common problem in a lot of sites in lebanon consequently making them unusable. The need is therefore for a design that addresses water runoff and usability.
Highlighted Practices Manage Stormwater
Control erosion
Provide a community space
Current Site Conditions
The problems that the site encounter do not only waist water but also make the parking unusable sometimes due to heavy rains and the erosion resulting from it. To turn it into a functional site, the need was for a design that solves the problems while providing another solution for the function and program of the site
Proposed Design
Manage Stormwater Provide a community space
Control erosion
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
Group Work
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Between the Forest and the Grassland Type: Residential Location: Bekaa, Lebanon Design Stage: Design Development Project Statement: The Agricultural Research and Educational Center located in the valleys of Bekaa, provides different facilities and services for the visitors. Among them, is a villa designated for professors and visitors of the farm. The challenge was to provide different spaces that can accomodate a large number of people while reflecting the landscape identity of the Bekaa valleys in general, and AREC identity in particular.
Highlighted Practices reuse of on-site material
Access to views
Maximize outdoor spaces use
Concept
The villa is located between two different landscape characters that are dominant in the Agricultural Reseach and Educational Center of the university : the forest and the grassland. Therefore the garden is designed to be a transional zone between these two forces following the concept of ecotone.
Design Access to views Towards the grassland field
Villa Reuse of on-site material A concrete slab Turned to a bench
Access to views towards forest and archeological hill
1. Sensory terrace: seating area overlooking the open grassland 2. Entrance with earthy colored plants reflecting Bekaa vegetative colors 3. Small hill overlooking the open grassland 4. Reading space in a calm forest feel space
5. Minimalist party space in the backyard 6. Natural seating area reflecting AREC’s forest feel 7. Illusional space with concrete elements of different heights highlighting transition from forest to grassland
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Archeological Trails: Storytelling the past Type: Cultural Location: Beirut, Lebanon Design Stage: Design Development Project Statement: After the civil war, Solidere, a reconstruction company, started re-building Beirut Central District. Many archeological sites were demolished, consequently erasing a major part of Beirut’s heritage. The need was for a strategy that revives the demolished and lost heritage of Beirut Central District that was the center of many civilizations that have settled.
Highlighted Practices Connect Historical sites
Revive historical sites
1. Roman baths 2. Garden of forgiveness 3. Archeological tell 4. Old harbor
The strategy consists of four heritage trails, each reflecting a certain period and passing through different traces whether they are demolished or still existing. Specific pavements and explanatory panels are used to expalin and track the trail. Old Harbor would be the start point as it is common to all periods.
Dream Village
Beirut’s Archeology
AREC’s Resdential garden
Topography & Water collection
Community Garden
Water themed park
Forest Promenade
Green Cemetery
Tripoli Train Station
Outdoor living rooms Type: Residential Location: Qalmoun, Lebanon Design Stage: Design Development Project Statement: The aim of the compound was to provide lebanese families with a luxurious living environment that meets the needs of a typical lebanese family. Surrounded by resorts, vegetation fields and residential villas, the compound was blended with the different settings within the context: A well-designed garden that provides the needs of the families while reflecting the character of a lush mediterranean landscape.
Highlighted Practices Maximize outdoor spaces use
Provide a herbs garden
Concept & Design
Private family garden
Family & Visitors area
The design program follows the concept which is based on indoor-outdoor transitions and extending the villas functions to the garden. The garden is divided into two parts: the upper level has larger spaces where one would welcome visitors and the lower level that comes as a private part for the family with smaller intimate spaces for each member of the family. The main spaces consist of a: 1. Welcoming sitting area 2. Sitting & play area 3. Outdoor living room 4. Outdoor dining area 5. Lavender sunken garden 6. Outdoor reading room 7. Zen-like garden 8. Outdoor kitchen bar and garden
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3 Provide Herbs Garden adjacent to dining area
4 2 5 Maximize outdoor spaces use
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