Christele Harrouk's path into architecture was shaped by the complex and ever-changing environment of her Lebanese upbringing—a place marked by contradictions, transformation, and resilience. Although her entry into architecture wasn't planned, the discipline quickly became a profound lens through which she understands the world and its complexities. Combining her passion for writing with her architectural and urban design expertise, Christele discovered a unique voice at the intersection of these fields, embracing editorial work as a powerful platform to influence discourse and amplify diverse narratives.
As Editor-in-Chief of ArchDaily, Christele is deeply committed to shaping architectural discourse through thoughtful curation. She looks for projects and stories that engage profoundly with context, culture, and social realities—seeking those that do more than present architecture as mere form or function. For her, the value lies in content that challenges prevailing narratives, amplifies marginalized voices, and fosters critical conversations across global communities.
She emphasizes the responsibility of architectural media to go beyond superficial coverage, instead promoting inclusivity and encouraging readers to rethink architecture's role in society. Her editorial approach balances intellectual inquiry with accessibility, striving to make complex ideas relatable without diluting their depth. She believes that the stories chosen for publication should not only inspire aesthetically but also provoke thoughtful reflection on architecture's political and cultural dimensions.
Christele's focus is strongly informed by a nuanced engagement with the concept of home—its fragility, complexity, and emotional resonance—especially in contexts marked by instability and displacement. These themes deepen her commitment to storytelling that honors resilience, challenges conventional ideas of permanence, and reflects the lived experiences of diverse communities.
Attuned to the evolving landscape of architectural discourse, Christele champions voices that embrace complexity, decolonization, and adaptability. She recognizes architecture as a flexible, context-driven response to social, cultural, and ecological realities. For Christele, both architecture and life are ongoing processes of reinvention and resilience, enriched by embracing layered and authentic experiences that reflect our shared humanity.
Read on to learn more about Christele's perspective and journey.
What first sparked your interest in architecture — and what led you to editorial work?
Becoming an architect wasn't something I had planned—it happened by chance. But once I began studying architecture, I was quickly drawn in by its complexity. It became more than a profession; it became a way of thinking that continues to shape how I see the world. Growing up in Lebanon—a place marked by contradictions and constant transformation—shaped my view of architecture as inherently political and deeply contextual. It's never neutral or detached, but a reflection of systems, aspirations, challenges, and failures.
At the same time, I've always loved writing—words have long been my way of making sense of things. Over time, I found myself standing at the intersection of these two worlds, and I realized: I am an architect who writes. I came to understand that my contribution to the field could go beyond design—it could lie in how we frame the issues, how we push the discourse, and how we choose whose stories to tell. That's how I found my place in editorial work.
My journey at ArchDaily has been a defining one—personally and professionally—allowing me to grow, connect with a global network of thinkers and doers, and use storytelling to shift narratives and empower others.
What do you look for when deciding whether a project or topic is worth publishing?
When deciding whether a topic or story is worth publishing, I look for projects that engage deeply with context, culture, and social realities. I'm interested in ideas that reflect broader shifts in the discipline, challenge dominant narratives, or amplify voices often overlooked. The goal is to share architecture that contributes meaningfully to ongoing conversations and inspires thoughtful responses across different contexts. Ultimately, I want to publish stories that add depth to architectural discourse, promote inclusivity, and foster a richer understanding of architecture's role in shaping—and responding to—the world around us.
Is there a project or story you've published that particularly resonated with you — and why?
Among the thousands of features I've written, the stories that have most deeply resonated with me explore the complex and often painful notion of home—a concept that carries profound significance as a Lebanese person. These narratives inspire me to go beyond buildings and styles, focusing on the emotional and cultural layers that architecture embodies, especially in places where "home" is fragile and constantly shifting.
One such story is A Broken House, a documentary by Jimmy Goldblum about Syrian architect Mohamad Hafez's miniature sculptures that capture the devastation of his war-torn hometown. This story resonates deeply because living in Lebanon means living in constant flux, where instability makes a secure home elusive. Home here is layered with memories, loss, and a yearning for belonging amidst chaos.
Another is Nomadland, which follows a modern nomad's journey across the American West after losing her conventional home. It challenges traditional notions of home as fixed, instead portraying belonging as fluid and adaptable—something I relate to deeply in my own unsettled context.
A deeply personal and ongoing part of my editorial journey has been covering Beirut in the aftermath of the 2020 port explosion. I documented a city struggling to reconcile loss, trauma, and resilience. The explosion shattered not only buildings but also the collective memory and identity of a community already grappling with political and economic instability. For me, this was not just reporting—it was witnessing my city's pain and determination firsthand. These stories reveal how architecture in Lebanon is inseparable from trauma and hope, as communities mobilize to defend and rebuild their homes despite overwhelming challenges. The notion of home here is fraught with tension—threatened yet fiercely preserved by those who refuse to let it disappear. This coverage has deeply reinforced my belief that architectural narratives are vital tools to preserve memory, empower communities, and nurture fragile hopes for healing in places marked by instability.
What shifts or emerging trends in architecture are you paying close attention to right now?
Right now, I'm paying close attention to how architecture is expanding to embrace complexity, diversity, and alternative narratives that challenge traditional paradigms. There's a growing focus on personal storytelling, decolonization, and adaptability—highlighting architecture as a flexible, context-driven response to social, cultural, and ecological realities. This shift questions whose stories are told, how space is tied to histories of power and displacement, and how we can reclaim memory and reshape identity. It reflects a move away from permanence toward resilience and transformation. These trends align with my commitment to amplifying underrepresented regions and making architectural discourse more inclusive and reflective of global realities.
What's something you've learned from your editorial work that continues to shape how you see architecture?
Through my editorial work, I've come to see that architecture is not just about buildings—it's a deeply layered expression of culture, identity, and lived experience. Engaging with these stories has also taught me something more personal: it's perfectly okay not to have everything figured out from the start. Like architecture itself, our paths are shaped by experimentation, discovery, and change. We are complex beings with multiple interests, and by embracing these layers—rather than confining ourselves to a single definition—we create work that is more authentic and meaningful. This flexibility and openness have been essential to my journey. Architecture—and life—are about continuous reinvention, resilience, and a sense of purpose that reveals itself over time.
This profile is part of the series "Voices of ArchDaily," a dedicated space highlighting the people behind our content team—their interests, experiences, and professional journeys.
