Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri have transformed the Bokja showroom in Beirut into a community centre where people can bring home furnishings damaged in last month's Beirut explosion to be repaired using signature red stitchwork.
Baroudi and Hibri, the designers behind Lebanese brand Bokja, started the Bokja Mends initiative to help people whose homes were damaged in the Beirut explosion on 4 August by repairing and re-upholstering damaged home goods for free.
Bokja Mends will feature a signature red stitch based on surgical sutures
"Bokja Mends is simply a means to support the unsupported and to protect and preserve memories of those who have lost more than just their homes," the studio told Dezeen.
"Thinking about all that's lost sparked an instinctive reaction to do what we can for our community. We are hoping to help rebuild a sense of comfort." The explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate at a harbourside warehouse on 4 August caused widespread destruction in the Lebanese capital and is estimated to have injured more than 5,000 people.

Bokja's own spaces in the city were impacted by the blast. "Our boutique in Saifi Village was stripped to the bone; window-less and frameless but still hanging on," the studio said.
"We have transformed the showroom into a community centre, offering it to local organisations on the ground from which they can dispense aid. Our atelier near Basta was shattered but it's still standing strong."
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