Silk Factory, Fidar
Kahle Acoustics was invited to develop a concept design for a chamber music hall in a former silk factory in Fidar, Lebanon. The acoustical concept was transformed into a beautiful performance space — named the Silk Factory — dedicated to nurturing young, talented musicians from around the world. The Silk Factory is associated with the Zita Brussels guest house in Belgium which hosts performances by musicians from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.
Information Sheet
Renovation/Transformation Silk Factory zitahouse.com/silkfactory
Location Fidar Seaside Road, Fidar, Lebanon.
Project Cost Undisclosed.
Time Frame Design: 2018-2019. Construction: 2020-2022. Opening: November 2022.
Owner KB Invest + Silk Factory by Zita House, Lebanon.
Architect(s) Ivana Nestorovic, Paris, France.
General Contractor(s) Breisal, Beirut www.breisal.com • La Constructa, Beirut www.laconstructa.com
Seat Count A 200-seat chamber music hall (150 m²), a reception hall, musicians' room, storage room, public lounge with bar. Total surface area: 250 m².
Uses Chamber and classical music (unamplified), jazz and pop (amplified), opera screenings, community events and talks with or without amplification.
Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services for the concept, detailed design and specification phases prior to construction.
Team Evan Green, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics.
The main hall as seen from the raised stage. Variable acoustics curtains and loose seating enable the hall to be used in multiple formats. A raised side-parterre provides an alternative view of the stage. Photo © Zita House, Silk Factory
The stage walls and window niches have been angled to enhance acoustic projection from the stage to the audience. Curtains on continuous tracks can be used to optimize the stage acoustics. Photo © Zita House, Silk Factory
The Silk Factory, exterior view. Photo © Zita House, Silk Factory
Detail of the exterior windows of the main hall: deep double windows attenuate street noise transmission into the performance hall. Photo © Zita House, Silk Factory
Detail of the exterior windows of the main hall: deep double windows attenuate street noise transmission into the performance hall. Photo © Zita House, Silk Factory