Office Extra. In Lebanon, when you order a falafel, a manqoushe (or even... (Old Saida)
Office Extra. In Lebanon, when you order a falafel, a manqoushe (or even for that matter, a fruit cocktail) you have the option of choosing to go ‘aadi’ or ‘extra’. If we’re talking falafel, that usually means a more balls of crispy goodness in your roll-up, but as with the manqoushe, it also implies pickles, sliced tomato and cucumber, maybe a little chilli, a sprig or two of fresh mint and an additional dollop of tarator. The result is a souped-up sandwich experience that leaves its ordinary ‘aadi’ brother in the shade. You’ll appreciate then that when I encountered this gem in the newly-restored confines of the former Madrassa Aisha in the old Hammoud Palace in Sidon’s souks, my first thought was that offices didn’t come much more ‘extra’ than this. True, it needed a tweak or two. The desk and curiously uncomfortable chairs were perfectly placed but stylistically, were the wrong side of 60’s Fabulous (more Baath Party HQ than Broyhill Brasilia). The lighting was problematic even with the courtyard door open and encased in several metres of sandstone, there was no way of getting cellphone reception here, let alone 3G. But I was smitten. The delicate 18th Century wall and ceiling mouldings, the muquarnas in the corners, the layered and often painted stonework, the geometric tiling, the indoor water fountain, the small stained glass windows and the view through the iron grilles over the windows into the elevated courtyard outside, were all exquisite. Replace the old office set with something sleek and modern by Minotti, throw in a couple of sculptural lighting elements, load the stone benches around the fountain with kilim cushions, hang an indoor swing from the arch above the second iwan, turn on the fountain and this would be the kind of office you’d never want to leave.
by wsinghbartlett / Instagram