'Nest Table' by Maria Halios at Maria Halios Design in Beirut
'Nest Table' by Maria Halios at Maria Halios Design in Beirut
(Image credit: TBC)

While international news stations report Lebanon's descent into the Syrian crisis, its capital is awash with exhibition openings during Beirut Design Week (BDW). Such sensational contrasts are part of the daily drudgery here however, and pressing on with the business of creative production is a vote of confidence for the future of Beirut.

Here, the disparity between what design means to the consumer and what it means to the producer remains agape. Experiencing both sides in close proximity is one of the pleasures of BDW. You can see Rima Khatib's design art by the pool at Le Gray hotel, drive into the mountains for a demo of Architettura Sonora's site-specific speakers, attend a panel discussion with Michael Anastassiades, and catch the Newcomers show with its unusual prints and outlandish prototypes.

Despite its hyped-up status among the lifestyle set, the 'design capital of the Middle East' is a fledgling scene. Doreen Toutikian and Maya Karanouh co-founded the MENA Design Research Center in 2010, with incubation from Tagbrands. The pair set up BDW, which Toutikian sees foremost as a tribute to local Lebanese talent. 'Design exhibitions in Qatar, Dohar and Dubai always include Lebanese creators but they don't usually have a platform at home.'

Now in its second year, BDW is a bid to stimulate a more coherent design community connected with the realities of its location. The week is heavy on discussions and demonstrations, culminating in a two-day conference at the American University of Beirut.

At Karim Bekdache architects, traditional spaghetti-chair making demos accompany an installation 'Who Shot Arne Jacobsen' bemoaning the rise of fakes, while at Atelier S/Z passers by can make mini-lamps on shelves alongside conceptual shisha pipes (AKA redesigned hookahs) and a bricolaged take on local chair shapes.

Rapid Manufactory is our favourite example of creative Beirut's capacity to combine the incongruous. Located in a former bakery, it is the first 3D print shop in the Middle East and crams three giant printing machines into its little studio. This week Rapid Manufactory is exhibiting the resulting products made by Guillaume Credoz, cast in ceramics from 3D printed plastic moulds, alongside hand-cast pots by Souraya Haddad, in a lively example of what BDW is about - celebrating the process of live creative production against the odds.

The store at Maria Halios Design, one of the many venues of Beirut Design Week

The store at Maria Halios Design, one of the many venues of Beirut Design Week

(Image credit: TBC)

Installed in the windows of Maria Halios Design are ceramics by Manoussos Khalkiadakis

Installed in the windows of Maria Halios Design are ceramics by Manoussos Khalkiadakis

(Image credit: TBC)

Ceramic balloons by Manoussos Khalkiadakis

Ceramic balloons by Manoussos Khalkiadakis

(Image credit: TBC)

Rapid Manufactory is an example of creative Beirut's capacity to combine the incongruous. Located in a former bakery, it is the first 3D print shop in the Middle East and crams three giant printing machines into its little studio

Rapid Manufactory is an example of creative Beirut's capacity to combine the incongruous. Located in a former bakery, it is the first 3D print shop in the Middle East and crams three giant printing machines into its little studio

(Image credit: TBC)

'Bride on a Hook' lamp by Guillaume Credoz at Rapid Manufactory

'Bride on a Hook' lamp by Guillaume Credoz at Rapid Manufactory

(Image credit: TBC)

'Painappuru' lamp by Guillaume Credoz

'Painappuru' lamp by Guillaume Credoz

(Image credit: TBC)

'LUVRBell' lamp by Guillaume Credoz

'LUVRBell' lamp by Guillaume Credoz

(Image credit: TBC)

'Knight Bridge' modular wall ceramic piece by Guillaume Credoz

'Knight Bridge' modular wall ceramic piece by Guillaume Credoz

(Image credit: TBC)

'Charleston' coat hook by Rima Khatib for her Hide and Seek exhibit at Le Gray

'Charleston' coat hook by Rima Khatib for her Hide and Seek exhibit at Le Gray

(Image credit: TBC)

The POSTextiles showcase within the Newcomers exhibition at Atelier NS included new pieces by Laura Martinez

The POSTextiles showcase within the Newcomers exhibition at Atelier NS included new pieces by Laura Martinez

(Image credit: TBC)

Textiles by Laura Martinez

Textiles by Laura Martinez

(Image credit: TBC)

Textiles by Laura Martinez

(Image credit: TBC)

New gouache works by Central Saint Martins graduate Jo Baaklini at the Newcomers exhibition at Atelier NS

New gouache works by Central Saint Martins graduate Jo Baaklini at the Newcomers exhibition at Atelier NS

(Image credit: TBC)

Prints by Jo Baaklini

Prints by Jo Baaklini

(Image credit: TBC)

Prints by Jo Baaklini

Prints by Jo Baaklini

(Image credit: TBC)

Architettura Sonora's site-specific speakers installation in the gardens of the villa office of landscape architect Vladimir Durovic in Broumana, outside Beirut

Architettura Sonora's site-specific speakers installation in the gardens of the villa office of landscape architect Vladimir Durovic in Broumana, outside Beirut

(Image credit: TBC)

Traditional spaghetti-chair making demonstrations at Karim Bekdache architects...

Traditional spaghetti-chair making demonstrations at Karim Bekdache architects...

(Image credit: TBC)

... accompany an installation 'Who Shot Arne Jacobsen' bemoaning the rise of fakes

... accompany an installation 'Who Shot Arne Jacobsen' bemoaning the rise of fakes

(Image credit: TBC)