abstract is real

In 1984, B 018 was initiated by Naji Gebran who developed the concept of Musical Therapy.

Its name originated from a code number of Naji Gebran’s apartment, where the concept first was born. In 1993, the concept was moved to a warehouse in an industrial sector of Beirut.

The unusual music and eccentric atmosphere are the signature of the B 018 concept and it became THE night scene in Beirut.

Finally, in 1998, the B 018 concept moved to its present location at the Quarantaine and gave a visual 

dimension to its concept through the architecture of Bernard Khoury.

The project is built below ground. Its façade is pressed into the ground to avoid the over exposure of a mass that could act as a rhetorical monument. The building is embedded in a circular concrete disc slightly above tarmac level. At rest, it is almost invisible. It comes to life in the late hours of the night when its articulated heavy metal roof structure retracts hydraulically. The opening of the roof exposes the club to the world above and reveals the cityscape as an urban backdrop to the patrons below. Its closing translates a voluntary disappearance, a gesture of recess. The building is encircled by concrete and tarmac rings.  The automobiles' circular travel around the club and the concentric parking spots frame the building in a carousel formation. At night, the continuous motion of the visitors' cars animates the parking and becomes an integral element of the club's scenario. The entrance is located at the south end of the low-lying metal construction where a staircase leads to two concessive "airlock" spaces manned by scowling bouncers. Strewn across the concrete pavement floor of the underground hall, the sofas with collapsible backs serve as elevated dancing surfaces that stage the performers.

The party starts with the street lights and ends with sunrise. The opening hours are from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. which is the totally opposite of any other nightclubs. The time is perfectly  chosen to make people see and live the purpose of B 018: the highlight of the night is the incredible retractable roof which gives a night-time view of the stars and city lights.