Samer Saadeh

Fabraca Studios, nestled in the industrial heart of Bauchrieh, stands as a beacon of innovation in the design world. Initiated in response to an economic downturn that saw many artisans lose their livelihoods, the studio was founded with the mission to revitalize local craftsmanship by integrating it with contemporary design principles. Specializing in custom lighting solutions, Fabraca Studios caters to architects globally, leading the industry with its pioneering line of technical lighting products. With a particular emphasis on the MENA region, the studio has set new standards in lighting design, offering unparalleled customization and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of clients worldwide. **Story and Values: Shaping the Future with Light and Legacy** Fabraca Studios’ story began with a vision to transform adversity into opportunity. Witnessing the bankruptcy of the industrial area and the subsequent job loss for 70 artisans, our founder, Samer Saadeh, an architecture graduate inspired by the city’s untapped potential, established Fabraca Studios. By hiring local craftsmen, the studio not only preserved a rich heritage of craftsmanship but also ignited a new era of design thinking that respects tradition while embracing the future. Fabraca Studios has shown how crafts can play a role in highly functional contemporary lighting solutions. What sets the studio apart is its unique approach: instead of relying on mass-produced, off-the-shelf products, it fosters a harmonious blend of computer-generated designs and traditional artisanal craftsmanship. The impact of Fabraca Studios on the design landscape has been significant, offering bespoke lighting solutions that blend functionality with aesthetics. Their work illuminates spaces across the world, demonstrating the versatility and beauty of Middle Eastern craftsmanship. Over the past years, their designs have gained international exposure, leading to an increase in projects across the US, Europe, Australia, and beyond. This global reach has not only showcased Fabraca Studios’ unique approach but also changed how lighting is perceived—transforming it from a mere element of décor into a profound statement of technological innovation.

The Interview

What inspired you to pursue a career in design?
Their careers in design were driven by a refusal to accept the decline of local craftsmanship and a desire to prove that Lebanese making could compete on a global level. What kept them going wasn’t inspiration—it was witnessing the potential in forgotten artisans and realizing that design could transform an entire industrial ecosystem, not just create beautiful objects.

How does your cultural or regional context influence your design work?
Fabraca Studios revitalizes Lebanon’s declining industrial city by preserving disappearing craftsmanship and transforming it into high-value, globally competitive production. By merging design, engineering, and artisanal skill under one roof, the studio sets a new standard for what modern Lebanese industry can be.

Who are your design influences or mentors, and how have they shaped your work?
Their design philosophy merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technology to create lighting that is both functional and emotionally resonant. They believe that true design honors heritage while pushing innovation forward, resulting in pieces that feel timeless yet distinctly modern.

What are the biggest challenges facing designers in the MENASA region today?
They struggle to maintain world-class production in a country with failing infrastructure, disappearing craftsmanship, and unpredictable logistics. Their biggest challenge is scaling their work globally while preserving the artisanal integrity that defines their identity.

Works

Website
www.fabracastudios.com
Socials
@fabraca_studios