Villas at Emirates Hills

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A group of villas demonstrate a fusion of contemporary architecture and traditional Arabic details.

The site, for 20 villas, was in a growing residential area of reclaimed desert.  A generic villa type was designed, which was then developed to provide variations, within the restrictions of a uniform grid which maintained proportions.  This resulted in an interesting range of individual houses and a lively streetscape. The villas are generally four or five bedroom, with a guest room at ground level and live-in staff accommodation.

The central 'majlis' space is the heart of a villa plan and gives a clarity of organisation to the spaces around it at ground and first floor level.  In most villas, the 'majlis' is internal, but is double height with a good level of natural daylight.  In others, the central space takes the form of an external courtyard.  A circulation route separates the formal family and entertainment spaces from the service spaces, like the kitchen.

External terraces, balconies and loggias were configured to allow plenty of daylight into
the villas, while protecting them from the heat of the sun. Further screening and privacy is ensured by the use of cast aluminium fixed and sliding screens.