My beautiful NEST – by Rana Khoury

Introduction: “What is an architect doing in a seminary?” A question that I have been asked many times. If you are curious to know the answer, read along. This article is a summary of a slide presentation in chapel in May 2010. I have no intention at all to portray NEST as the ideal place; it is rather a lovely place to be around in a non ideal world. I have selected for this article two features of NEST; an external and internal and dwelt on both.

My beautiful NEST
This gray fair faced concrete building has always intrigued me. As a resident of Ras Beirut, it was inevitable for me to pass by its premise. I knew it was a protestant seminary and service was conducted there every Sunday. But other than that, and as a non protestant, it was a mystery to me, till…. my second year at AUB.  I was a student at the school of architecture and when I had an assignment to choose a non residential building to prepare a study and a slide show on its architectural features, I selected NEST.

The president was very helpful and he sat with me for 2 hours and gave me a tour of the building. I took lots of photos and came to know lots of details that I have currently lost or forgotten. But what is truly embedded in me is a love and appreciation of this building. Two years ago, I started taking courses at NEST. So my knowledge in architecture tinted with a dab of theology prompted me to write about this building when Thomas asked me to contribute to this blog.

I have heard some students and staff complain about NEST’s unattractive façade. Maybe it is the dark gloomy color of the concrete or the monotonous repetitive design of the upper floors that make it unappealing and boring. To me, I see these qualities as bold and natural. We live in a culture where external beauty is of high importance that sometimes the word “natural” is synonymous with ugliness and unfashionable.  To be appreciated, things need to be glamorous. And NEST is simply “Plain”. But NEST is not an image, it is an essence; an institution with a message. When Martin Luther banned imagery in churches, he had in mind one reason that he emphasized; removal of any distraction from the major reason of being in church; communication with God.  The exterior of NEST is so simple and natural that I find it a reflection of Luther’s intention. I see NEST as a source for teaching the “truth”; the plain truth. No embellishment, no pretention; like a woman’s face with no makeup.

For those of you who prefer a little makeup, 2 layers of paint in the color of sand is an appropriate alternative. Paint is an inexpensive finishing material, nothing fancy but will definitely add zest especially with the proper color. The choice of the sand color was to emphasize the state of being rooted to this land.

Have you ever wondered what the holes that are repetitive all over the façade are for? They might look decorative, but they have a more functional reason. When concrete which is a heavy material is poured, it tends to push on the sides of the mold, and thus will deform its shape. A simple solution is to add spacers; a rod or tube inserted inside the mold at regular intervals. When the concrete is dry and the mold is removed, the remnants of the spacers are these holes.

As to the inside, my favorite internal feature is the stair case well. It is so open and lit.  I can’t imagine how gloomy the ground floor would have been if the staircase was enclosed.  It is transparent enough to see through opposite sides. And if one stands in the corridor on the ground floor close to the staircase landing, one can see 2 floors below and 2 floors above. A total of 5 floors. And one can even hear students playing ping pong in the second basement! The classes are situated on the ground floor at the back façade. So upon entering the building some of the class doors can be seen partially. I used that for my advantage in my first semester. When I arrive just on time for my course I could see the class door. If it is open I keep on walking. But if closed, then the teacher is inside and I have to change strategy. I will have to knock and ask looking as innocent as possible, “may I come in?” So many times in life, if we are aware beforehand of what people’s intentions for us are, we can change strategy and thus divert or minimize the hurt. Whether the injury was intentional or not, whether from someone close or not; from a boss or spouse or friend, if people are more transparent, life would become easier. Still this does not mean we should spill out every detail of our lives to be transparent to others. Sometimes when I am sitting in the library, I could notice people’s silhouette as they are using the staircase and it gets distracting. Moderation and ethics is the answer.

I have to admit NEST has a very plain design. But what compensates for this trait is Love; it is filled with love.  Students and staff are aware of this factor that connects them to this building, and what is there in life that is greater than Love? My attachment to this building transcends my architectural binding; it is the friendship, the knowledge, the laughter, the respect, the best coffee in the world, the chapels, the prayers that I shared with staff and students for the past years and hopefully years to come.