PARALX is an Architecture and Urban Design practice shaping buildings, spaces, and places that are integrated, purposeful, and enduring.

About

Headquartered in Beirut with offices in Jeddah and Los Angeles, PARALX {par-uh-laks} works with clients who value design. In practice for over 15 years, the firm takes an approach that centers three main strategies: Analytics, Innovation, and Communication.

Although static in form, PARALX’s designs for architecture, interiors, and public realms are dynamic, open, and fluid structures for positive change and optimal performance. The firm leads an integrated design process with the goal of creating unexpected experiences in unexpected places.

Experience

PARALX’s major built works include Y Chalet, a 850 sqm (9,150 sf) weekend house in the largest ski area in the Middle East; BDD 1227, the first LEED Gold-certified office buildings in Beirut’s Digital District; the restoration of the 19^th century St. George Church and public space with an underground parking structure as part of BDD 1227; and DL Project, an 18,000 sqm (193,750 sf) mid-rise apartment and commercial development in the dense urban fabric of Beirut; among others.

With multiple projects underway, PARALX’s unique approach is clear across the individual designs for over 130,000 sqm (1.4 million sf) currently under construction. In Jeddah, our work includes: the residential Baghdadia Complex; the mixed-use Rawdah nearing completion; and the hospitality-driven Jeddah Rose at the gateway of the new Jeddah Central. In Beirut, the new Beihouse boutique hotel and the Pine House, a terraced home overlooking the city, are well into construction.

People

Our open, collaborative studio environment supports our approach. A twelve-person practice with teams instead of departments, PARALX’s cohort of architects and designers work on projects at different scales from interiors to urban design. Our backgrounds, languages spoken, technical skills, real-world insight, and design ideas inform our creative and technical process while revealing solutions far from the ordinary.

Strategic partnerships with local architecture and engineering firms enable our small organization to design, manage, and complete large-scale projects. Collectively, PARALX’s team is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is licensed in Lebanon and KSA, and speaks Arabic, English, and French. The firm is also represented by ABOVE THE FOLD for new projects and public relations.

Awards

2024 / Architect’s Newspaper / Best of Practice / US West / Small Architecture Firm / Honorable Mention 2024 / ArchDaily / Building of the Year / Nominee 2021 / ArchDaily / Building of the Year / Nominee 2020 / German Design Award / Excellent Architecture Category 2019 / Iconic Awards: Innovative Architecture / Residential Project of the Year 2019 / Middle East Architects Magazine / Top 50 Most Influential Architects 2018 / Middle East Architect Awards / Commercial Project of the Year / Finalist 2018 / Middle East Architect Awards / Residential Project of the Year / Finalist 2018 / Cityscape Awards / Finalist 2018 / American Institute of Architects / Residential Architecture Award 2017 / American Institute of Architects / Citation Award 2017 / MIPIM Awards / Tall Buildings Category 2016 / Middle East Architect Awards / Best Concept Design 2016 / CityScape Awards / High rise Category / Winner 2015 / American Institute of Architects / Merit Design Award