Nestled within the mountains of Bentael, Lebanon, this modest stone house stood long abandoned, its walls and spaces gradually absorbed by the surrounding landscape. The renovation approached the existing structure not as an object to be restored according to a particular moment in time, but as a living fragment of the environment. This strategy would preserve the material character, as well as introducing a contemporary layer that would allow the house to evolve.
The existing stone walls form the foundation of the project. Their irregular surfaces, weathered textures, and traces of previous construction were retained wherever possible, alongside natural timber elements of the original roof and the traditional plastering techniques that incorporated hay within the walls. Rather than concealing these imperfections, the renovation allows them to remain visible, preserving the humble character and tactile quality of the original structure.
An addition was introduced as a vertical circulation tower adjoining the existing structure. Its role is deliberately practical: it connects the ground floor with the basement and rooftop, while also accommodating a bathroom and storage spaces. Through its proportions, material palette, and relationship to the landscape, the addition becomes an architectural counterpart to the old house, rather than a separate object. Over time, climbing vegetation extends across both structures, further softening the distinction between old and new.
On the ground floor, the main living spaces are organized around reception, dining, and kitchen areas. A small, naturally illuminated gallery forms the transition between the original house and the new addition. Tall, glazed openings bring light deep into the interior, and maintain a visual connection with the surrounding vegetation. The basement, partially embedded within the terrain, houses the bedroom, storage, and wine cellar carved into the existing stone fabric. Naturally cool and humid, the cave-like cellar makes use of the environmental qualities already present in the mountain house.
Above, the rooftop becomes an extension of the domestic space. A custom-designed pergola provides shade for an outdoor seating area, echoing the proportions and material language of the house. Together with the existing ground-floor terrace, it frames expansive views across the Bentael valley.
Landscape in this renovation was considered an integral part of the architecture rather than a layer added after construction. The intention was to allow the house to gradually dissolve into its setting, reinforcing a sense of belonging to the mountain. Existing vegetation was preserved as new planting was carefully introduced around the structure, with natural ivy climbing across the old stone walls and the new tower alike.
The result is a dialogue between permanence and transformation: an abandoned mountain house brought back into use without erasing the traces of its past. Stone, timber, plaster, vegetation, and contemporary interventions coexist as parts of the same evolving landscape, allowing the architecture to remain humble, tactile, and deeply rooted in its surroundings.
