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INTERVIEW RAMY EL KHAZEN

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Ramy el Khazen carefully selected and put together every single part of The Junkyard. We're impressed -
he's not even a designer

What is your actual profession?

I produce alcohol. I'm the sixth generation in an Arak producing family. I have nothing to do with architecture or design at all.

How did you become involved in this project?

Mario [the owner] is my cousin. I always design things, break down things, as a hobby.

How did you come up with this concept?

Mario wanted a junkyard, so I started with the shipping container that houses the kitchen.

Where did you source everything from?

I was just going to junkyards all around Lebanon, picking things up.There is actually a lot that has come from the Arak factory: pots and barrels, a distillation pot that now has flowers coming out of it. The chandelier above the bar was a buoy we found. It's cut in half and I used poles for scaffolding to attach the lights. All the wood is used, bought from building sites.Nothing is new. Except the toilets.

How long did it take?

A bit of time. We had nothing: no plans, no designs, no ideas. I started with the container and worked every day. It all spanned from what I found in the junkyard.

Do you have a favourite piece?

Actually I'm In love with the place.But guess it's the bar door, which is a car door; the chandelier and table made from an old engine, stripped of its insides. I made everything.

What about the graffiti?

Not me. That was a guy called Raoul Mallat, a very talented guy.

What else have you worked on then?

I did Häagen-Dazs in Downtown, the offices of Karma, houses of friends.

What will you do when this place closes?

We'll remove it all and either return it to scrap, or rebuild it elsewhere. I'm dying to do another one. I have plans for something bigger, on a much higher scale-a double decker container with balconies, using a lot of hardware and construction material.

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Bachar Tawil

Managing Partner Ekhet Mankoushe

Working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen was a real pleasure. From the first meeting, he understood exactly what our brand is about and what needed to change to take our outlets to the next level and match the quality we offer. Ramy is full of creative ideas and works fast, he came up with the new concept in just a few days, and it felt right from the start. Don’t call Ramy for something basic, call him when you want your place to truly come alive. I recommend him both personally and professionally.

Me. Nour Awada

Attorney at law - founder of The Firm

I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen on multiple projects, including designing and executing both my offices, my apartment and my parent’s house. I cannot speak highly enough of his talents, creativity and professionalism. Each project was executed flawlessly with attention to the smallest details and a keen eye for design. Mr Ramy was able to perfectly capture what I needed for each space and bring it to life in a way that exceeded all my expectations. His work speaks for itself. I highly recommend Mr Ramy for anyone who is looking for a top notch creative designer and super meticulous executer.

Mark Abboud

Owner Parallel & Member of the advisory board in the Lebanese syndicate of owners of restaurants, cafes and clubs

It was a pleasure for me to work with Mr. Ramy El Khazen in creating the concept and execution for Parallel. Ramy is so creative in implementing ideas, responsible, successful and accurate. He has his own ideas that are out of the box and is extremely dedicated to work and follows up on the smallest details very well, taking a high responsibility for all tasks and details related to the project. He is highly committed, devoted and enthusiastic.

Karina Sukar

ARCHITECT - Karina Sukar Design Gallery

My esteemed friend and colleague Ramy, with whom I have had the pleasure of working, is a highly talented and dedicated contractor. He consistently delivers his projects on time and ensures that all work is meticulously followed up and executed with precision. I wholeheartedly recommend him, both professionally and personally.

Jose Charo

CEO/Partner of Passport Legacy Levant

The best in the industry and one of the few that can deliver on time while commiting to a very high-end finishing and high level of professionalism. Always recommended.

Chapter 1

Management Team

Working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen on our outdoor and indoor venue projects was an absolute delight. His creative work and out-of-the box concepts exceeded all our expectations. From concept creation to design and execution, Ramy showed unmatched dedication and unparalleled passion for his craft. His innovative thinking, cost-effective approach, and attention to detail resulted in unique designs. Despite working with practically no plans, Ramy transformed ideas into reality that surpassed anything we could have imagined. His professionalism and commitment to excellence set him apart in his field. We highly recommend Ramy for his creative genius and lasting impact on our venues and all our customers. He has become family to us.

B1 The Club

Management Team

Ramy’s Transformation of Chapter1In The Club is nothing short of remarkable. His vision has nightlife in Batroun, blending history with entertainment. The club’s ambiance, with its elegant dance floor and art, is a true testament to his creativity. Ramy has not only reimagined but revitalized Chapter1In The Club. We Highly Recommend him.

Roula Bahnam

Architect - DT Office

Ramy, I was blown away by your meticulous work. Thank you for turning your unique perspective into a vison to build this project in a creative way. You handled stress well and thought about problem solving in a new method. Your positive attitude is timeless.

Mohamad Saab

Parallel Partner and managing director

It was a pleasure working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen in creating the new concept and execution works for Parallel. He managed to transform the venue 360 degrees, in such a unique way that was trendy and modern, at the same time managing to fuse, dinning with clubbing experience. He delivered our place in a very fast time line with high end finishing and supervision. I highly recommend Ramy for any project, he is a trusted professional and very dynamic.

Sh. Walid Al Mahdi

CEO - Major shareholder Hotel Riviera

I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years, but Mr. Ramy El Khazen is something else. He came in, saw exactly what needed to be done, and got it right. Every day, Ramy was on site, hands on, leading his team and solving problems before anyone else saw them. What Ramy pulled off in the time he had… honestly, I didn’t think it was possible. But he made it happen. Fast, Detailed, Reliable, Professional and Highly recommended.

Bachar Tawil

Managing Partner Ekhet Mankoushe

Working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen was a real pleasure. From the first meeting, he understood exactly what our brand is about and what needed to change to take our outlets to the next level and match the quality we offer. Ramy is full of creative ideas and works fast, he came up with the new concept in just a few days, and it felt right from the start. Don’t call Ramy for something basic, call him when you want your place to truly come alive. I recommend him both personally and professionally.

Me. Nour Awada

Attorney at law - founder of The Firm

I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Ramy El Khazen on multiple projects, including designing and executing both my offices, my apartment and my parent’s house. I cannot speak highly enough of his talents, creativity and professionalism. Each project was executed flawlessly with attention to the smallest details and a keen eye for design. Mr Ramy was able to perfectly capture what I needed for each space and bring it to life in a way that exceeded all my expectations. His work speaks for itself. I highly recommend Mr Ramy for anyone who is looking for a top notch creative designer and super meticulous executer.