SARAH LILY YASSINE EDUCATION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT URBAN PLANNER WRITER
sarahyassine@gmail.com Beirut + 961 3 519419 USA : + 215 764 2285 French & Lebanese Citizenship
University of Pennsylvania, School of Design, PennDesign, Philadelphia, USA Master of Landscape Architecture 2015-2018
Design Thesis: ‘Across the Hills, Beyond the Valley’ in collaboration with Riva Weinstock Design installation & performance Meyerson Hall Philadelphia 24/04/18 Cross-disciplinary Landscape Architecture Studio & Fine Arts (Print making & Performance) Advisors: Lucinda Sanders & Sharon Hayes Professional Memberships -American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) - student committee treasurer, 2016 -2017 Awards & Fellowships -’How Do We Design a More Equitable Philadelphia’ - workshop led by Bruce Mau organized by Penn Praxis in collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) -Recipient of the Van Alen Travel award 2017 for ‘(Dis)joint Mapping’ borderland project -Recipient of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Provost Fellowship Award 2017 Curated Work & Collaborations - ‘Healing Waves’ in ‘Landscapes of Learning’ collaboration PennDesign, the School of Architecture & Urbanism of the Federal University ,Rio de Janeiro Museum of Modern Art, projected 2019 Reimagining stories of belonging through a botanical proposal for the city -‘The Agora of the Intangible’ in ‘Slate Belt Futures’ , Tolina Vineyards, Bangor, May 2017 A cultural landscape preservation proposal for the Slate Belt quarries of Pennsylvania
Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD)
Landscape Architecture Studio - Career Discovery Program, June - July 2013
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) with Honours
MSc Environmental Planning, Policy and Regulation, Geography Department, 2004-2005 Full scholarship from the British Council, Said Foundation Dissertation: ‘Public Transport and Urban Mobility Patterns in Beirut’
American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon – Dean’s Honours List
BSc Environmental Health, Minor In Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2003
RECENT
Université Saint-Joseph Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Beyrouth Appointed on the founding committee to lead the establishment of ECAR School of Architecture Part time Faculty: architecture Studio 1 Basic Design Fall 2019 & Theory In-Situ 2020 -Defining mission and vision of the School of Architecture -Designing the educational curriculum and selection of faculty body -Architecture studio landscape concept, detail and planting design 10/18 - ongoing
American University of Beirut I Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences I 2019 Department of Landscape Architecture - part time lecturer (design studio)
AND Collective NY/Beirut founding member
Design collective addressing theory and interdisciplinary of landscape architecture -Submission for International Design Competition ‘Memory Regathering Syria’ Bâb-al-Atlal: Remembering Through Debris - Prakul Reddy , Benjamin Summay and Sarah Lily Yassine
LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION
ICOMOS - International Council for Monuments and Sites
-International Scientific Committee on Water Heritage - Vice President of Arab States (current) -National Lebanese Founding Committee – Executive Board Secretary General (2018-2020) Founder of the Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes
Founding Member of the Dalieh Campaign & Lebanese Coast Alliance
Coastal cultural landscape preservation advocacy & research Beirut, 2013-ongoing Dalieh Campaign Winner of the 2015 Samir Kassir Eyes SKeyes ‘ Wajih Ajouz Award’ for best campaign Main achievements 1
Advisor to the Campaign to Protect the Birds Nest cultural landscape in Byblos -Proposal for the Armenian cemetery & Saint Kayaneh Chapel as a WWI memorial, 2015-2016
Member of the coalition for the Fouad Boutros Park Campaign in Beirut
-Proposal for the conservation of Beirut’s last remaining urban orchards as stairway park, 2014
Cultural heritage advocate for the preservation of Lebanon’s historic railways
-Design & conservation proposal for Lebanon’s derelict railway as industrial heritage & cultural landscapes, 2008-2015
ART & DESIGN COLLABORATIONS
Collaboration with Engram Photo Collective, Sursock Museum Beirut
- Interviewed for ‘De Beyrouth à Damas: les traces d’un récit’ - Talk, the Album Series Performance on Fouad Debbas Collection - railway construction from Beirut to Damascus in 1895 Sursock Museum in parallel to the exhibition ‘La Fabrique des Illusions’, April 18, 2019
Collaboration with Photoreporter Nicolas Brodard, Beirut/Switzerland
- ‘Abysses-Libanaises’ project exploring the Lebanese Coast and it’s relationship to national identity Photography, drawing, mapping, and text 02/19 - ongoing
Collaboration with artist Rami George, Philadelphia
- Reader & video footage in ‘Untitled (the wars in Lebanon)’, HD Video, 12 mins, Rami George -Screened in ‘Inherited Premises’ - Installation at the Grand Union Gallery, Bangor , Birmingham, UK May 2018 and in ‘ Strained States’ group show at the Heaven Gallery Chicago, May 2019 - Author of Text for ‘Finding Kim’, read by Rami George, at ‘Reading for Publish As Practice’, Martine Syms/Dominica Residency Kickoff, Ulises bookstore Philadelphia, July 2018
Portal 9 Journal, Issue 4 – ‘Forest’ Commissioned Infographics & Publication
‘Beirut Birdscapes: On Travel Tales and Dwelling Places’ with design Joumana Ibrahim Ornithological mapping, text development, interviews, and proposal for bird habitat preservation 01/14 to 06/14
Consultant to the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) Paris, France
‘Once Upon a Time the Orient Express’- collaboration with the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) Organizing and leading guided site visits to Lebanese railway stations with the IMA exhibition curators Production assistant to Mémoire Magnétique on the documentary ‘Il Etait une Fois L’Orient Express’ Concept & design for the window display on Lebanon for the exhibition Advising the IMA on possible funding sources to feature the exhibition in Lebanon 09/13 to 04/14
URBAN PLANNING
100 Resilient Cities Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation
Urban Planning Consultant for the Byblos Municipality Resiliency Officer Collaboration with theotherdata and ecoconsulting in developing the landscape resilience strategy 02/15 to 10/15
Consultant to UNIT 44, Landscape, Ecological Planning, Urban Design, Beirut
Urban Sustainable Development Strategies for the city of Saida Advising a local NGO on ‘Mamar’ initiative, an urban greenway proposal along Saida’s disused railway line 01/14 to 04/14
Project Manager at 4b Architects, Beirut, Lebanon
Région Île-de-France, Agence Française de Développement Beirut Municipality Joint partnership with Aartill lighting consultants, Paris, France Project Manager for the Beirut Street Lighting Master Plan for the Beirut Municipality Public Space Design Proposal & Strategy Responsibilities Concept design, feasibility study & communication strategy Managing project deliverables between stakeholders (Beirut Municipal council, Beirut Governor team, Région Île-de-France, Agence Française de Développement) Developing lighting trails highlighting urban landscape features and public space experience 2012-2014 2
Urban Management Consultant to 37J, Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut Liaison Douce Rue de Damas bid proposal development Urban greenway and pedestrian axis through the Beirut’s Central District and the Pine Forest Invited bid, project commissioned by the Région Île-de-France, Agence Française de Développement) Responsibilities Assisting in responding to bid proposal, and coordinator with the Beirut Municipality 2011
Research&Teaching Assistant at the American University of Beirut (AUB)
Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management Research and teaching assistant to Professor Jala Makhzoumi Beirut Gardens book project funded by the Heinrich Böll Stigtfund Graduate research assistant - course: Ecological Landscape Design and Planning Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, Spring 2010 Responsibilities Research & mapping of green and open spaces in Beirut Urban greening proposal for Beirut 01/10 to 08/10
Environmental Management Consultant for Beeatona Environmental NGO, Beirut Electronic waste management strategy for Lebanon 11/09 to 12/09
Workshop Participant, On Mar Mikhael’ organized by 98 Weeks, Beirut ‘Next Stop: I Am a Museum’, Mar Mikhael Railway Station and Rail yards’
Proposed concept design for a multi-functional urban park and railway museum Exhibited work which included photography and narrative at 98 Weeks space opening event 11/09 to 12/09
People Places Community Design Initiative - AUB Neighbourhood Initiative, Beirut Explored organization and planning of community events and AUB outreach projects Proposed ideas for temporary and permanent spatial interventions to improve the quality of life in the Ras Beirut Neighbourhood Proposed Activities Seasonal spring flower market, street fair for used books, outdoor film screening program Implemented Events ‘Ras Beirut Ras es Sanah’ neighbourhood party and concert, Gefinor Plaza, December 2009 ‘Hamra Goes Green’ organic plant sale organized by the dept of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management at the AUB, Hamra, April 2009 03/09 to 09/09
Master Planning Team, Gensler Architecture, Design and Planning, London, UK
Projects Included Baku, Azerbaijan - ‘Heydar Aliyev Financial Centre’ concept master plan (350 ha) Dubai, United Arab Emirates - ‘Jumeirah Garden City, West Park’ concept master plan (53 ha) Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco - ‘Saphira Water Front’ concept master plan (70 ha) Dubai, The Palm Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates - ‘Al Shaya Villa’ concept design (1,500 sq.m) London, United Kingdom - ‘Network Rail Sites’ proposal: Waterloo (Lower Marsh Str), Battersea (Ingate Place, Silverthorne Rd, Queenstown Rd) (1/3-1 ha) Lesvos Island, Greece - ‘Loutra Eco Resort’ concept master plan (12 ha) Chippenham, United Kingdom - ‘Herman Miller Post Occupancy Performance Evaluation’ Living with Sustainable Design project (2,044 sq.m) Responsibilities Developed strategic planning visions and regenerative space adaptive reuse Produced sustainable design guidelines Wrote project proposals in English, Arabic and French Conducted post occupancy survey for LEED and BREEAM certified buildings Presentations Included ‘The Kyoto Legacy: How Do We Plan the Response of Cities?’ ‘GIVE: Gensler Initiative For Volunteer Engagement’ 2006 – 2009
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Sustainability Consultant, Office of the President, American University of Beirut Facilities Planning and Design Unit, AUB Master Plan - Campus Sustainable Landscape Initiative Conceptualizing & coordination of the AUB Sustainable Campus Forum Produced the AUB Sustainability initiative guidelines and technical report 2004-2005
Environmental Coordinator, International Development Centre, Beirut, Lebanon
Three Among Millions funded by the United Nations Development Program, Ozone Office Designed and developed an educational publication on Ozone Depletion and its related public health impacts 10/03 to 01/04
AWARDS
Photography - ‘Iraq:172 Kilometres’ - Beyond a Snap Competition Award
EXHIBITIONS
‘Next Stop: Museum Park’ - in ‘The City in the City’ Sursock Museum, Beirut
PUBLICATIONS
Print Books ‘Beirut Activism, Reclaiming the Public Sphere’ in Comparative Urban Design
Exhibited at the World Press Photo, Beirut, Lebanon, 2011
Work featured part of 98 Week Beirut Every Other day display 11x17 Publication/Zine distributed to the exhibition visitors October 9 2015 to January 11 2016
Border Making Practices in Medellin & Beirut co-authored with Dalia Chabarek Edited by Catalina Ortiz, The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London, 2018
‘The Hidden Landscape’ in ‘Beirut Recollected’ Mashallah News & AMI November 2014
Booklets, journals and zines ‘Bourg Hammoud’ feature piece in Brownbook Magazine Manama issue 65 October 2017
‘Transect of Erosion’ in Hammoud Badawi Zine by Tandem Works on Beirut’s River Launched at Sursock Museum part of the ‘The City in the City’ exhibition public talks In collaboration with tOD Integrated Architecture Lab and UN-Habitat in Beirut Riverless project November 2015
‘Dalieh el Raouche’ Campaign booklet publication distributed nationally May 2015
‘Beirut Birdscapes: on Travel Tales and Dwelling Places’ in Portal 9 Journal, issue 4
A design and research project with designer Joumana Ibrahim in Portal9 Journal, Issue 4 - The Forest Spring 2014
‘Terminus’ in Imagined Engravings in the City’ - Portal9 Journal, issue 1 Fall 2012
‘Tripoli’s Station: A Sleeping Beauty’ in Arabic, in Al Inshaa newspaper, Tripoli, Lebanon, September 2011
‘Three Among Millions’, United Nations Environmental Program, Ozone Office 2004
Commissioned Online Articles
‘Tripoli’s Sleeping Beauty’, Mashallah News, November, 2011 – http://mashallahnews.com/?p=5730 ‘Next Stop: I Am a Museum’ Mar Mikhael railway station, Archileb – http://www.archileb.com/ article.php?id=296
LECTURES CONFERENCES & SYMPOSIA
2019 International Conference Water as Heritage Conference Taiwan May 2019
Organized by ICOMOS Netherlands, Taiwan International Institute for Water Education , Centre for Global Heritage and Development Proceedings publication ongoing, expected fall 2019 Keynote speaker Waterscapes Panel ‘ Dalieh waterscape between land and sea ’ ICOMOS Lebanon representative: participated in task force on water and heritage scientific committee
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ICOMOS Lebanon with Order of Architects and Engineers Beirut, 2019
Keynote speaker: International Conference ‘Lebanon after 1990; Heritage Conservation Practices’ Proceedings published in BAAL Lebanon Directorate General of Antiquities, October 2019
Panthéon-Sorbonne Paris - Patrimoine et paysages culturels Beyrouth, 2017
Speaker to discuss challenges of heritage preservation in Lebanon invited by the Maydae Panhéon
Beyt Amir Cultural & Exhibition Space Beirut , December 2017
Speaker in conversation with architect Antoine Atallah - lecture performance Beirut’s landscapes
Ashkal Alwan- Home Works Program - Dalieh: Meet and Greet, Beirut , 2015
Round table discussion with Abir Saksouk, Abdul Halim Jabr, Nadine Bekdache, and Vartan Avakian
Institut Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO) ‘Espaces Publics Beyrouth’ , 2015 Speaker to discuss the coast & public space invited by the IFPO & French Embassy in Beirut
5th International Cultural Landscape Conference - Urban Cultural Landscape, 2014 The Iranian Society of Landscape Professionals (ISLAP) & the International Federation of Landscape Architects IFLA, Asia Pacific Region wwPaper: ‘On Lebanon’s Derelict Railway Landscape: Oral Narratives & Meaning of Place’
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, ‘Les Dimanches de l’Orient Express’, 2014
Keynote Speaker ‘Geopolitics: the Lebanese Railways industrial heritage and cultural landscape’
Beirut Energy Forum - Lebanese Centre for Energy & the Ministry of Energy, 2011 Speaker:‘The Lighting Master Plan: Energy Efficiency Measures ’ - Energy Efficiency Unveiling
Beirut’s Public Space Strategy Conferences, 2012 & 2013 Organized by Région Île-de-France and the Beirut Municipality Speaker: ‘Beirut’s Nightscape vision’
JURY EXPERIENCE
MEMBERSHIPS LANGUAGES
Order of Architects and Engineers Beirut, Youth Now Competition Jury member 04/2019 AUB Department of Architecture, invited to 2nd year final jury, 05/2019 AUB Department of Landscape Architecture mid review jury for graduating class, 02/2019 University of Pennsylvania, PennDesign, Master of Landscape Architecture final year jury, 10/2018 AUB Department of Landscape Architecture, final year jury, 2015 ICOMOS international / ICOMOS Lebanon Arabic, English, French, Italian (conversational) and Spanish (beginner)
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