The birth of the “house with the three arcades” marked the country but was merely an architectural phase and the “photography” of Lebanon continued to change after its appearance. In the 1920's, the “house with the three arcades” takes on new heights and is elevated a few more levels; under the French mandate, it becomes a small building enriched with decorations and takes on ochre colours. Then comes the time for the use of new materials and European architectural currents; "rococo", "new art” and “art deco” tendencies emerge and the "death" of the “house with the three arcades” is made official around the late 1930's.

Starting the 1950’s, a period of major changes sets off matching the modernist winds that were sweeping over Lebanon. It is the advent of concrete that transforms the lifestyle producing a severe change in the organization of space of the house including the introduction of the concept of separating the spaces between day and night, same as in the west. Then the 1975-1990 war has again reshaped the landscape.
"During the war, we were managing emergencies. Some people were constructing buildings very quickly, without planning, in order to remedy to immediate needs and provide shelter for refugees" the architect Jacques Liger-Belair recollects before adding "In the late 50 's, the Lebanon of my memories was magnificent, and then the war has naturally ravaged families and the political scene etc., but no as badly as it has devastated buildings and constructions."

Mousbah Rajab (architect and professor at the Institute of Fine Arts at the Lebanese University) states : "Two main factors have led to the deterioration of the urban structure during or immediately after the war, apart from the destruction as such. On the one hand, the displaced who came to occupy the center of Beirut or its periphery and whose different social level and varying use of domestic space led to transformations in the neighbourhoods and the houses. On the other hand, the laws applied during or post war, when the government was in need of funds and began tolerating or legalizing violations to constructions. One of the outcomes that we should expect is that the buildings dating from the late 70 's and early 80' s built in middle and low-class neighbourhoods will "break down" in 10 or 15 years instead of lasting for several decades and keeping in good shape, because the common areas, stairwells and elevators will deteriorate due to the poor quality of materials that were used then."