Rosé house

Set into a hillside overlooking the valley, this one-story home was designed to withstand the harsh nature of the environment. Sitting at 1300m above sea level, Al-Chewye, the village, earned its name due to the scorching heat it endures during summer. In contrast, during colder periods of the year, temperatures can drop to freezing. 

The arid nature of the land is reflected in the design of this holiday house. It is transcribed into the monolithic, monochromatic plastered façades, behind which lie a minimal living space. The proposed architecture is devoid of any unnecessary ornamentation or embellishment, it conveys however, its particular sense of esthetic by virtue of mass, proportion and the interplay of light and shadow.

A U-shaped layout creates an enclosure around a private garden, sheltering the residents from the prying eyes of neighbors and passersby, but gives the house views across the valley towards the mountains. The covered outdoor space at the ground level frames the panoramic view and serves as an outdoor kitchen with a sitting area where people can enjoy the cool shade while the sun is burning at a stone’s throw.

Employing locally mastered construction methods the house is designed around short-span structures supported by concrete columns and slabs, reducing significantly the cost and time of construction. The adopted elemental architectural language of simple geometric forms brings the construction to its fundamental most basic elements.

The house features blind west and north-facing facades to protect against the elements, while the kitchen and bedrooms enjoy the soft and pleasant morning sun. Wind chimneys strategically positioned across the floor plan enhance natural cross ventilation and allow the desired daylight in.

A green roof is projected as a way to limit sun exposure on the house’s fifth façade, and maintain refreshing indoor temperatures. Using it for recreation, the roof offers an equal and opposite experience to being sheltered, where the home owners are immersed thoroughly in the wilderness and beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Project status | Design Proposal

Designed by Tofy Semaan.