As we continue our “Women in Architecture” series, we are pleased to turn our attention to Lina Ghotmeh. In the realm of contemporary architecture, where historical context and cutting-edge innovation often collide, Lina Ghotmeh stands as a powerful figure. Her works, characterized by a profound respect for memory and the environment, have garnered international attention. As an advocate for sustainable design and a meticulous interpreter of historical significance, Ghotmeh brings a fresh perspective to global architectural discourse. In this post, we explore her career, design philosophy, and significant contributions to the field, aligned with Optima®’s ongoing celebration of women architects pushing boundaries.

Early Life and Education
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1980, Lina Ghotmeh grew up in a city that had been devastated by civil war. Her early experiences in a place marked by destruction, memory, and rebuilding have profoundly influenced her architectural philosophy. Ghotmeh pursued her architectural studies at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, where she developed a sensitivity to history, context, and materiality. Her education provided her with the tools to bridge the gap between past and present, while always considering the environmental and cultural implications of design.

After completing her studies, Ghotmeh worked alongside Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel on the Louvre Abu Dhabi project, one of the world’s most prestigious museum buildings. This experience helped hone her skills in designing large-scale projects that blend traditional and contemporary influences.

Estonian National Museum (Tartu, Estonia). Credit: Arp Karm on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International.

Design Philosophy: “Archeology of the Future”
Lina Ghotmeh is known for her unique approach to architecture, which she describes as “Archeology of the Future.” This philosophy reflects her belief in creating structures that draw deeply from the layers of history, memory, and the environment. Her designs are not merely aesthetic; they tell stories of the past while being forward-looking, ensuring that sustainability is at the heart of every project.

Ghotmeh’s work is deeply rooted in the landscape and cultural history of the areas where her projects are located. She integrates natural forms, materials, and the history of a place into her designs, blending architecture with nature and human experience. It is in this way that she creates spaces that respect and enhance their surroundings, ensuring harmony between human activity and the environment.

Serpentine Gallery (City of Westminster, London), 2023. Circular timber structure, pleated roof with central oculus, wall panels with leaf-like cut-outs. Credit: Images Georges Rex on Flickr Creative Commons, Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Deed.

In spite of her relatively young age, Ghotmeh has already made significant contributions to the world of design with a number of signature projects, including:

Stone Garden (Beirut, Lebanon). One of Lina Ghotmeh’s most recognized projects is Stone Garden, an iconic residential tower in her native Beirut. This building is a testament to her commitment to working with local context, as it was designed with both the city’s tumultuous history and environmental concerns in mind. Completed in 2020, the tower’s facade is made of raw concrete and is intentionally irregular, evoking the damage that Beirut has endured throughout decades of conflict. Yet, its design is also meant to symbolize hope and resilience, with its organic, plant-filled terraces representing new life amid destruction. Stone Garden exemplifies Ghotmeh’s skill at weaving together the scars of the past with a sustainable and optimistic vision for the future.

Estonian National Museum (Tartu, Estonia). The Estonian National Museum, completed in 2016, is another of Ghotmeh’s landmark projects, created in collaboration with DGT Architects, the firm she co-founded in 2006. This building was constructed on a former Soviet airfield, and its design reflects Estonia’s complex history of occupation and independence. The museum’s elongated form seems to rise from the landscape itself, a poignant reminder of the country’s turbulent past. Inside, it functions as a cultural center that celebrates Estonian heritage, perfectly encapsulating Ghotmeh’s belief in the integration of memory and place.

Réalimenter Masséna (Paris, France). Another notable project is Réalimenter Masséna, an innovative, energy-efficient wood building located in Paris, which houses a sustainable, organic urban farm. This project perfectly illustrates Ghotmeh’s belief in sustainable, self-sufficient architectural solutions that contribute to the urban fabric without straining environmental resources.

Awards and Recognition
Ghotmeh has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Tamayouz Award for Female Architects in 2020 and a nomination for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. She continues to influence the field through her thought-provoking lectures and writings on sustainable architecture and the role of memory in design. Her work has been exhibited globally, from the Venice Biennale to the Serpentine Pavillion.

Lina Ghotmeh’s architecture offers a profound response to the pressing issues of our time, such as sustainability, memory, and cultural identity. Her remarkable career serves as an inspiration to a new generation of architects who aim to merge beauty, sustainability, and historical reverence in their work. As we look to the future of architecture, her legacy will continue to shape the ways in which we design for both people and the planet.