Saint Antoine de Padoue Church - Gemmayzeh
AWARDED - Feb.2021
COMPLETED - Apr.2021
LOCATION - Gemmayzeh
CLIENT - Saint Antoine de Padoue Church
ROOF AREA - 1,000 m2
Saint Antoine de Padoue Church is located in Gemmayzeh Street, Rmeil which was highly affected by the blast that ripped Beirut Port on August 4, 2020.
Specifically, its pitched roof was severely damaged where its existing wooden structure needed re-assessment and its scattered broken bricks required replacement.
BEELD proudly achieved to win the tender based on its lowest price and performed the necessary renovation works which were considered as immediate actions which had to be taken back then including the roof structure with its bricks, the drainage system, the wooden doors and steel/glass windows. This stage was considered as Phase I to restore back the function of the church before going into deeper analysis for Phase II.
BEELD managed to fix and replace the existing windows and doors which were burst during the explosion. Concerning the roof bricks, the existing were of type “La Escandella” - Spain, so the damaged ones (around 850 m²) were replaced by the same type. The existing wooden structure could have been removed and replaced which would have been easier; however, BEELD was challenged to study it thoroughly along with all its rods, joints and grooves and use the same connection techniques to preserve its identity including a guaranteed drainage system to prevent water penetration.
BEELD achieved to re-structure it and install the bricks on the pitched roof as well as the upper dome. Phase II included a deeper assessment including a detailed electrical study and execution, AC units’ installation along with all necessary civil works, painting the whole church and installing a safe sound system. The church gained back its function after a couple of months and continued to welcome back its parishioners amidst the current situation in Lebanon.
