About Us

Who we are

We are an international group of professionals in Beirut and Amsterdam. Since 2006 we have been developing workshops and projects with irregular regularity on issues that ask for an alternative approach to urban societal issues. The focus of the activities has been on interventions in public space. 

We are people with different expertises working in a broad range of sectors in Lebanon and The Netherlands and consist of an open, warm and friendly network of professionals. We combine thinking and doing.

In 2006 we started our collaboration ‘Studio Beirut’ out of social and professional interest. In the course of years we have been developing workshops, projects and knowledge about (re)building an urban society. 

A call for help from one of our initiators from Beirut after the August 4thexplosion in the port of Beirut in 2020 gave an extra urgency to the impact our collective can make. Since then we have supported and developed several new projects with, for and by Beirut citizens. 

Our structure is open and flexible and adaptable over time. We focus on the themes empowerment and rebuilding.

Empowerment — In a bottom up approach we work on community development. The overall approach is ‘learning by doing’. Themes are amongst others: inclusion, democracy, emancipation, education and employment.

Reconstruction — Several participants in our collective are professionals in (re)building. They work on approaches to rebuilding the city, practical, social and cultural: restoring, rebuilding, heritage, laws, regulations, art, commerce and local culture.

Studio Beirut is an all inclusive initiative that aims to help people in all possible ways. 

It functions under Pearl Foundation (Stichting, KVK: 34256990) in the Netherlands.

Made possible with the support of:

Rani Rajji
Alexander Halabi
Bernard Mallat
Nabil Menhem
Pascale Hares
Steve Eid
Chris Fruneaux
Chris Keulemans
Edwin Gardner
Jasper van den Berg
Arne Hendriks
Lilet Breddels
Nienke Rothuizen
Jan Rothuizen
Jasper Harlaar
Joost Janmaat
Ole Bouman
Reem Saouma
Chai Locher
Esther Gaarlandt
Annemieke Veltman
Nadja Schlenker
Jako Borren

And many others.