ELIE METNI | ARCHITECT | STARCH BOUTIQUE PROJECT |
RETAIL STORE / BOUTIQUE | 21.04.2015

Elie Metni is currently completing his Diploma of Higher Studies in Architecture at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) where he is also a part time instructor. In 2012, he joined the Herzog and de Meuron architecture firm in Switzerland for a year-long internship, where he participated in the design process of various projects. Following his internship, he worked for 1% Architecture in Beirut where he contributed to the development of “Beirut Terraces” interior apartments, a project designed by Herzog and de Meuron. This allowed him to put to practice the tools he acquired in Switzerland. Elie shares a particular interest for product design. He constantly explores the projects’ conceptualization by experimenting with materials and ergonomics. He believes that a project doesn’t end at the completion of its construction but continues as the user starts interacting with the product. He designed several projects in Lebanon and abroad. Orient Express, a café bar in Beirut that he co-designed, has been opened to the public since 2014. Lately he was selected by Starch Foundation to design the 2015-2016 boutique.

WHAT IS STARCH
Founded by Rabih Kayrouz, Tala Hajjar and in collaboration with Solidere, STARCH is a non-profit organization that helps launch Lebanese emerging designers. STARCH is an annual program and a rotation of debut collections where four to six young designers are selected each year. The designers will be guided through the process of developing their collections, as well as promoting them (communication, marketing, branding and press). These collections will then be presented for a period of one year at STARCH boutique. Throughout their one-year at STARCH, the designers also get the chance to participate in design related workshops, seminars and collaborations.

THE PROJECT CONCEPT
As a person interacts with the project and its components, he becomes a part of the intervention, offering the products new spaces to inhabit. He also continues the process by assigning them new functions and expanding the project’s boundaries out of the store.

THE PROJECT APPROACH
The approach features a free central installation of 70 identical wooden stools fitted together to form a new object used as a display for designers’ work. The product can be used individually or as a set depending on users’ needs and spaces. The installation occupies the center of the space and lays under a floating neon light. The first encounter is a copper wall that initiates the radial flow around the center piece.

here you can watch the VIDEO about the project. Elie I am very proud of you, you did an amazing job, I absolutely love the design. when I took a close look at the things on the shelf I discovered the bags by ON SEN FOUT.. I met the girls that make these bags in PARIS at the CAPSULE show – I fell in love with the one with the eagle.. more here >>

Elie Metni / Nour Najem / Sako Dersahagian / Joe Arida / Charbel Saade / Yasmine Jaber