Between May 5 and May 19, 2014, the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering and the Italian Embassy hosted the Architecture and Vision traveling exhibition, 'From Pyramids to Spacecraft’.
The traveling exhibition displayed selected projects by the design studio Architecture and Vision. The projects shown are inspired by the beauty of nature and informed by science and technology.
Exploring a new relationship between human design and nature, they generate the shapes to come and represent new elegant, ecological and economic solutions for an evolving planet. The combination of modern technology, environmental energies and humanity is generating a true ‘Genius-loci of the Space-Age’.
The event included a workshop with the aim to implement the Warka Water Project designed by civil engineering and electromechanical engineering students at the University. This project aims to produce more than 100 liters of drinking water per day.
The exhibition was inaugurated with a conference given by the Director of Architecture and Vision, Mr. Arturo Vittori, in the presence of the University President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, the representative of the Italian Ambassador Josepe Morabito, the Cultural Attaché, Mr. Attilio Di Gaspari, the Economic Attaché at the embassy, Mrs. Marina Jangrandi, Diplomat Cannistra Francesca, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr. Paul Zgheib, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Eng. Pascal Damien, teacher of civil engineering at the University and the coordinator of the exhibition, Mr. Joseph Zaarour, along with teachers and students from the two faculties.
First and foremost, Eng. Joseph Zaarour indicated that this exhibition falls within the framework of promoting the culture of civil engineering and expanding the academic horizons of the students, because it is related to technological development.
The Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr. Paul Zgheib, stated that “USEK, led by President Hady Mahfouz, aims to create a place for culture, history, green spaces and for the youth, inspiring a future respecting sustainable development.”
The Cultural Attaché of the Italian Embassy, Mr. Attilio Di Gaspari, pointed out the close relationship of cooperation between the Embassy and the eco-friendly USEK. He also praised the enthusiasm shown by the students during the workshop on the Warka Water Project.
The University President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, expressed that the University is proud of its students who implemented the Warka Water Project. He considered that this activity is at the very core of the mission of the University.
Finally, the Director of Architecture and Vision, Mr. Arturo Vittori, took the floor and explained that Architecture and Vision is composed of a multidisciplinary international staff working on the development of renewable and sustainable energy solutions; it relies on research and development of projects exploring the applications of emerging technologies alongside old customs in order to find better solutions for the requirements of modernity.