The Interdesign Building in Beirut: Most Iconic Brutalist Landmark

Designed in the early 1970s, at a time when Beirut was positioning itself as a regional cultural and design capital, the building embodies a moment of optimism, experimentation, and confidence in modern architecture. It was never meant to be just another structure — it was conceived as a statement, a physical manifesto of modern design thinking and the brutalist architecture style.

Map showing the location of the city landmark. Source: Google Maps

In this blog post, we’ll explore why the Interdesign Building matters — not just as a striking example of brutalism, but as a key piece of Lebanon’s architectural narrative. We’ll unpack its design, its symbolism, the architect behind it, and why this unfinished giant still holds such power in conversations about architectural styles, modernism, and identity in Beirut. Because some buildings don’t just shape cities — they reflect their souls.

A Story Frozen in Concrete: Brutalism, Memory, and Resilience

At first glance, the building might feel intimidating. Its exposed concrete, monumental scale, and sculptural form challenge conventional ideas of beauty. But that’s exactly the point. Brutalism was never about comfort or decoration — it was about honesty, structure, and purpose. And in Beirut, a city shaped by conflict and survival, brutalism feels almost poetic. Few architectural styles reflect resilience and solidity quite like this one.

What makes the building truly fascinating is that it’s more than an architectural object — it’s a "story frozen in concrete." A story of visionary architects, interrupted dreams, civil war, economic shifts, and unfinished ambitions.

As mentioned earlier, designed by Lebanese architect Khalil Khouri, the building was meant to house a progressive furniture showroom that blurred the lines between architecture, design, and everyday life. But history had other plans. Construction was halted, time passed, and the city around it transformed — leaving the building suspended between past intention and present reality.

The Brutalist Architecture Style: What Makes It Unique?

The term Brutalist architecture style might sound rough, and to many people, it can look just as stark and wild as the word brutalist sounds. But at its core, Brutalism is an architectural style that embraces raw materials and bold geometry — most famously, exposed concrete. This style emerged after World War II and became especially popular for institutional buildings, universities, and cultural structures in the mid-20th century.

What sets Brutalism apart is its honest expression of material and form. Instead of decorating or hiding the structure, buildings like the Interdesign Building wear their construction on the outside. Massive concrete forms, sharp angles, deep shadows, and visible structural elements are all hallmarks of this style. And while that can sometimes feel austere or severe, it’s exactly this honesty and boldness that have turned Brutalism into one of the most studied architectural styles of the 20th century.

Img. 1- Interdesign building located in Beirut, a pure example of brutalist architecture style. Image credits: architectpeakk.com

The Interdesign Building is a perfect example of brutalist style applied in an expressive, almost sculptural way. Its twin concrete towers, split by a slim vertical strip of glazing, stand like sentinels in the city — heavy and raw, yet shaped with purpose and intent. (Img. 1)

In Beirut, a city shaped by ongoing transformation, this construction showcases the imagination and foresight of an architect devoted to his ideals. Designed by Lebanese architect Khalil Khouri, son of Bernard Khouri, also a renowned architect of his time, during a period of financial growth. It was created in 1973, and the project took about 23 years to complete, with construction halted by the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War.

An Exterior That Commands Attention | Architectural Concept

From the outside, the building is unmistakable. Its gray, rough concrete facade rises in two distinct vertical volumes, separated by a central spine of glass that lets light filter in. Atop the structure sits a unique geometric cap, often described as a “boulder” or head-like element, that gives the building a memorable silhouette. (Img. 2)

Img. 2- Atop the structure sits a unique geometric cap, often referred to as a "boulder." Photo credits: architectpeakk.com

The imposing presence of the concrete and the disciplined geometric clarity of the design are classic brutalist traits, yet the structure also feels thoughtful — as if every mass, plane, and gap was considered not just for function but for visual impact. This is where architectural vision meets craftsmanship.

Img. 3- Detail of the facade in the building, showing the central element of glass. Credits: flickr.com

Because of the way architectural styles were shifting during the mid-20th century, many architects abandoned pure modernism in favor of postmodern or other trends. But Khouri remained committed to his approach, engaging with modernist and brutalist principles as philosophical guides rather than temporary trends.

A Surprising, Light-Filled Interior

If the exterior feels solid and monumental, the interior tells a very different story. Inside, the white-washed walls, openness, and connection between floors create a sense of lightness and fluidity that’s unexpected from such a heavy-looking shell. The building has 24 floors connected by open voids and staircases, guiding visitors in a kind of vertical gallery. (Img. 4)

Img. 4- Inside, the white-washed walls, openness, and connection between floors create a sense of lightness and fluidity. Photo source: desigmboom.com

Originally, these floors were meant to showcase Interdesign’s furniture designs — each level functioning as both a display space and a way to move through the work physically and conceptually. The arrangement of space allows for multiple perspectives and changing relations between observer and object — a sophisticated spatial experience that makes the building as much an installation as a showroom.

The building had been mostly empty and unused for many years. In 2024, it was opened temporarily to the public for an exhibition called All Things Must(’nt) Pass, organized by the architect’s son and grandson. For a short time, people could finally walk inside and experience the building as it was originally meant to be used — as a place to display design work, furniture, drawings, and creative ideas.

In other words, the exhibition briefly brought the building back to life, allowing it to fulfill its original purpose decades after it was first designed.

Img. 5- Example of a current floor layout in the Interdesign building, in the image, the 6th floor. Source: archdaily.com

The Story Behind the Structure

"We’ve already shared one part of the story — here’s the rest!"

Beyond its striking presence, the Interdesign Building carries a deeply human tale. Khalil Khouri was much more than just an architect — he was also a designer, builder, and entrepreneur, committed to integrating design and production. His family’s business aimed to push modern design out of isolated studios and into everyday life, both locally and internationally.

The building’s interrupted timeline — starting in 1973, halted by civil war, and completed more than two decades later — mirrors Lebanon’s own struggles and transformations. Its prolonged dormancy, financial difficulties, and eventual abandonment reflect how architecture doesn’t just exist in physical space but also in social, economic, and political contexts.

And yet, the structure’s revival in 2024 showed another dimension: cultural memory and resilience. Architects, curators, and design enthusiasts came together to celebrate Khouri’s life and work — not just the building itself. This event demonstrated that even a dormant building can become a site of reflection and collective appreciation.

• I would like at this point, to share with you a video: An interview with Bernard Khouri, son of Khalil, and an architect as well, with the renowned website of design, ArchDaily.com. In this video, architect Bernard Khouri spoke on the work and journey of his father, the late Khalil Khouri, and the exhibition that was held at the Interdesign building, designed by Khalil Khouri himself, and organized during the 2024 We Design event in Beirut, Lebanon.

The building is significant for several reasons:

• It’s a rare example of Brutalist architecture in the Middle East that wasn’t designed by foreign architects but is deeply rooted in local creative practice.
• It represents an era when architectural styles like brutalism and modernism were embraced as ways to invent the future, not just styles.
• It serves as a reminder of how socio-political disruptions — such as Lebanon’s civil war — can shape the built environment for generations.
• Finally, it’s an ongoing conversation piece in architectural circles, studied not only for its form but for its layered history, symbolic meaning, and unrealized potential.

Walking past the Interdesign Building today — or scrolling through photos of it — you might feel a tension between quiet melancholy and architectural triumph. That’s because this structure isn’t just another building; it’s a living narrative of Beirut’s architectural ambition, modernist dreams, and resilient spirit.

For anyone interested in architectural styles, design history, or how buildings reflect broader cultural storylines, the Interdesign Building is a must-study. It’s unconventional, dramatic, and unmistakably Beirut in its contradictions — raw concrete edges softened by deep human stories.

Whether you appreciate brutalist art and design or prefer landscapes filled with light and color, this building invites you to question, discover, explore, and connect with the layers of meaning embedded in its walls. And for that reason alone, it deserves its place in the conversation about the most iconic architectural landmarks in Beirut and beyond.

If you’re fascinated by architectural history and the interplay between design and culture, this construction in Beirut stands as a living lesson in how architecture shapes — and is shaped by — its surroundings.

Today, the Interdesign Building is widely recognized as one of Beirut’s most iconic brutalist landmarks, studied by architects, admired by design enthusiasts, and photographed by urban explorers. It sparks debate, curiosity, and sometimes confusion — which is exactly what great architecture should do. Love it or hate it, you can’t walk past it without feeling something!