U Villa: A Contemporary Residential House Inspired by Saudi Culture

Design by Adel Badrawy

The U Villa, designed by Adel Badrawy, is a stunning residential house that captures the essence of Saudi culture while incorporating contemporary design elements. Inspired by the horseshoe and the burqa, this U-shaped house is a true work of art that reflects the cultural and historical significance of these elements.

One of the key features of the U Villa is its functional courtyard, which splits the house into public and private zones on the ground floor. This courtyard serves as a breather for the house and creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. The morphology of the masses in the villa is also inspired by the traditional dress for women, the burqa, symbolizing privacy and a strong attachment to cultural roots.

What sets the U Villa apart is its attention to detail and unique design elements. The west facade features vertical louvers inspired by traditional mashrabiyas, while the south facade incorporates horizontal louvers. These louvers not only add a visual appeal to the villa but also provide shade and allow for natural ventilation.

The villa is clad in local marble stone, with different shades of beige and brown, giving it a sandy desert feel and paying homage to the traditional materials used in old houses. The use of wooden louvers and dark grey aluminum for windows creates a beautiful contrast and harmony between materials.

Functionally, the U Villa is designed to accommodate a Saudi family of six members. The ground floor acts as a reception area with varying levels of privacy, while the upper floors house the bedrooms, suites, and recreational areas for the small family. The outdoor seating areas are distributed on different levels of the house, each offering a unique experience.

Throughout the design process, the team conducted extensive research on Saudi culture and values. They studied traditional housing projects and surveyed Saudi people of different age groups to understand their beliefs and daily life. This research helped shape the design and ensure that it represents the values of the Saudi family while considering the environmental and functional needs.

The U Villa is a testament to the creativity and innovation of Adel Badrawy and his team. It seamlessly blends traditional elements with contemporary design, creating a space that is both visually stunning and functional. This design has been recognized and awarded the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in 2021, highlighting its excellence in architecture, building, and structure design.