Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) student Bchara Hage, currently studying Graphic Design in the Department of Design at the Ramez G. Chagoury Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Design (FAAD), won the top second prize in the Middle East Airlines (MEA) new “MEA-A321 Airplane Livery Project.” In total, 52 projects were submitted to a select jury by students, representing eight universities, including NDU, in Lebanon: American University of Beirut (AUB); Lebanese American University (LAU); ALBA/University of Balamand (UOB); Beirut Arab University (BAU); Phoenicia University; Al-Manar University of Tripoli (MUT); and the Lebanese University.
The jury evaluation took place on February 14, 2018. Jury members included five non-MEA staff: Managing Partner at Natuzzi Beirut Karen Fatti; General Manager at Horizon FCB Beirut Aline Baddour; Khatib & Alami Partner and Executive Vice-President for Architecture & Planning Oussama Dimashkiyeh; Dar Al Omran General Manager, Architect/Partner KSA, Sami al-Sabbagh; and jury head Dr. Nazereth Nicolian (non-voting member).
The projects were evaluated based on the following criteria: “originality,” “cultural fit,” “design harmony,” and “longevity.” To reward the project winners, the MEA administration invited Hage, along with the top third prizewinner Anthony Barakat of the Lebanese University, to visit the MEA headquarters on February 19, 2018, where they were awarded their prizes.