Draft:Maroun Kassab

Maroun Kassab is a Lebanese architect and artist known for his contributions to modern architecture, heritage preservation, and conceptual art. He is the founder of Cardo Architects, a design-build firm based in Lebanon, and has collaborated with UNESCO on the preservation of modernist architecture in the Middle East, particularly the Tripoli International Fairgrounds by Oscar Niemeyer.

Architectural Career

Maroun Kassab founded Cardo Architects in 2008, a design-build firm that emphasizes environmentally conscious and contextually driven architecture. His architectural work spans residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across Lebanon and the United States. He collaborated with several firms in the USA and worked in various high end projects such as the Oculus and the Empire State Building.

Educational Career

Maroun Kassab has held various academic positions:

Assistant Professor in Architecture – Notre Dame University (NDU), Lebanon (2015–2021) Kassab taught courses in architectural design bringing an international perspective on practice to academia. He also taught architectural history, and theory, focusing on the phenomenological and socio-political dimensions of architecture.

Coordinator, Faculty of Architecture, Arts, and Design – Notre Dame University (2016–2020) In this leadership role, he coordinated curriculum development and fostered interdisciplinary research initiatives within the faculty.

Research Assistant – University of Cincinnati, USA (2000–2002) Kassab conducted research on architectural design and theory, contributing to projects focused on urban resilience and sustainable design.

Publications

• 701 Lebanese Verbs: Research into the Grammar of the Spoken Language of Lebanon (2013): A comprehensive study of the grammar and usage of Lebanese Arabic verbs, contributing to the documentation and teaching of the spoken language.

UNESCO Collaboration

Kassab is best known for his role in the successful nomination of the Tripoli International Fairgrounds, designed by Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer, to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The fairgrounds, a landmark of modernist architecture in Lebanon, had been neglected for decades. Kassab collaborated with UNESCO officials and local stakeholders to develop a preservation plan, ensuring the site's protection and raising awareness of its historical and cultural significance.

Artistic Career

Maroun Kassab is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersection of human existence, memory, and abstract expression. His artistic journey spans several decades, marked by an evolving exploration of primal forces and non-representational elements that reflect on the complexities of human perception and existence. Kassab’s art is deeply rooted in the phenomenology of existence. His works transcend traditional boundaries, using a dynamic interplay of vertical and horizontal elements to create visual and tactile narratives. By abandoning object-like forms, his compositions invite viewers to explore liminal spaces where the seen and unseen converge, prompting reflection on the interplay between the psyche and the world.

Phases of Artistic Development Phase 1: Emergence and Foundation (1992–2007) During this phase, Kassab laid the groundwork for his artistic philosophy, blending classical training in Moscow with experimental techniques. His early works explored relationships, intuition, and the human condition, incorporating architectural precision into visual art.

Phase 2: Exploratory and Formative (2008–2015) This period saw a shift from structured compositions to more dynamic, decontextualized canvases. Kassab's focus on phenomenology and human tragedy led him to explore flat color compositions, gradually moving towards abstract, expressive surfaces that challenged traditional boundaries between background and foreground.

Phase 3: Maturity and Recognition (2016–2020) Kassab's work matured during this phase, marked by larger installations and thematic explorations of tension, equilibrium, and transformation. His series based on horizontal and vertical compositions emphasized the primal directional forces in human perception, earning him critical acclaim and international recognition.

Phase 4: Exploration and Innovation (2021–Present) In his current phase, Kassab continues to push artistic boundaries by integrating noise, non-representational elements, and breaking conventional directional dynamics. His work in this period reflects contemporary themes of existence and engages viewers in a sensory dialogue on the mysteries of life.

Selected Exhibitions "V+H and Other Stories" – MC Gallery, New York (2023) "Horizons" – MC Gallery, New York (2022) "Harmony of Contrasts" – Notre Dame University Gallery, Lebanon (2019)

Legacy and Impact

Maroun Kassab’s contributions to architecture and art have significantly influenced Lebanon’s cultural and built landscape. His work in heritage preservation and his innovative approach to design and art position him as a prominent figure in the region's architectural discourse.