JaK Studio was approached to design a luxury villa outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Being a part of a new private development, the location is set in a secluded desert valley surrounded by cliffs.
Project Name: Desert Flower
Studio Name: JaK Studio
Area: 20.000 sqf
Year: 2023
Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
CGI Credits: JaK Studio
A very specific design brief, with many luxury amenities, included a separate guest house, possibility to accommodate large extended family, domestic help accommodations and a pool pavilion.
The inspiration of the aesthetic appearance of the villa is the Desert Flower. Each pavilions shape is reminiscent of a flower with petals that is sitting on a body of water, an oasis in the middle of the desert. Pavilions are connected with a large glass atrium that spans two floors and is the main house communication. The guesthouse follows the same design pattern, with three different pavilions, giving it sculptural appearance at the entrance of the complex.
The first challenge that arose is from the narrow nature of the plot and its position regarding the main road. The main villa and the guest house sit on a gently sloping terrain. The access driveway cuts through the cliffs to slowly reveal the house behind it. The ground floor is half-buried in the cliff and houses large entrance foyer, servants accommodation and underground parking.
Main house room are located upstairs and are split by groups each in its own pavilion. Family Majilis and living room areas are overlooking the outside pool and have direct access to it. Large sliding folding doors allow the space to be fully open, thus blurring the line between indoor and outdoor space.
Abstract about practice:
JaK Studio is an award winning RIBA chartered practice of architects and designers based in London and Sarajevo. The Studio’s work is bound together by big ideas and progressive concepts regardless of their size. Led by partners Jacob Low and Kenan Klico, recent projects include the Listening Project Booth for BBC Radio 4, Villa Brash in Saint Tropez, and London’s first ‘Invisible House’.
