Rabih Hage: Quiet Architecture

Rabih Hage is based in London and New York, but was born in Beirut and carries with him the influences of that city, from the iconic modern architecture by Aalto, Niemeyer and others to the marks of war and reconstruction.

With these influences honed by his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts, Hage has become known for the titular style, which involves a high degree of sensitivity to existing buildings and their provenance, since to his mind we are ‘merely temporary residents’; this approach helps to preserve the environment (by minimising waste) but also the urban fabric. Hage’s work does, however, incorporate new structural and decorative elements, and he has become known as a designer of entire projects from building to furniture, much like those modernist masters.

This volume begins with an illuminating essay by Dominic Bradbury, and tours the reader through chapters on country houses, pieds-à-terre, town houses and hotels. The residences are the focus, and true to Hage’s philosophy largely feature reimaginations of existing structures, though new buildings are included. Comprehensive text traces Hage’s approach to each typology and each project, which is given extended treatment that delves into the architect’s process.