EAST Architecture Studio's Capsule Retreat Emerges from Lebanon's Economic Crisis

EAST Architecture Studio's Capsule Retreat in Zabbougha, Lebanon, was shaped by its construction process during a period of economic collapse and material shortages. Architects Charles Kettaneh and Nicolas Fayad took on expanded roles without a general contractor, coordinating craftsmen and testing ideas directly on site. The project developed through continuous adaptation to changing constraints, with sociopolitical conditions serving as a catalyst for design innovation. Material decisions and on-site adjustments guided the spatial logic of the mountain retreat. The architects emphasized tailoring decisions economically while exploring local craft possibilities. Construction itself became the primary driver of the project's form and function.