In 1962, the Lebanese Government commissioned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer—by then a world famous figure—to contribute to the modern face of Lebanon with the design of the Tripoli Permanent International Fair. The architect arrived in July and stayed two months in Tripoli, designing on site the various buildings: the countries’ curved shape pavilion, the Lebanese pavilion, the space museum, the experimental theater, the housing museum, the outdoor theater and other service buildings.
The urban neighborhood with housing and amenities that Niemeyer included in his preliminary design was not retained due to budget restrictions. 
The complex that occupies 1 million m2 of land is awaiting proper redevelopment. One of its important components, the collective housing building, was shamelessly disfigured. 

Aerial view of Tripoli and Fair

Source: Tripoli tourism office

View in 2006

Source: Arab Center for Architecture

© Oscar Niemeyer Foundation

The fair in construction in the 1960s

Source: Arab Center for Architecture, Beirut

© Arab Center for Architecture

View in 2006

Source: Grace Hanna

© Photo © Grace Hanna