Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe by Mai Wahdan

Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe by Mai Wahdan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha in Nhazi Ime Ụlọ na Ngosipụta Competition Category.

ỌlaọchaIme Ụlọ· 2026

Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe

by Mai Wahdan

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha Winner in Ime Ụlọ Category

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The Design

About Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe

Ridge House bụ ụlọ ime vila nkeonwe nke e ji ọnụ ugwu dị egwu nke AlUla mepụta. Imewe a na-akọwa ịdị arọ nke ala na mmebi site na ihe ndị a kpụrụ akpụ, elu nwere ụkpụrụ, na ndò a na-achịkwa. Oghere ndị nwere ịdị elu okpukpu abụọ na-eme ka omimi kwụ ọtọ dịkwuo elu, ebe iko nke ruru elu zuru oke na-eweta ihu ọma dị anya ma na-agbatị ime ya ruo na mbara igwe. Ihe mkpuchi GRC ahaziri ahazi na limestone a họpụtara ahọpụta na-emepụta ikuku dị ka otu nkume mana dị mma, ebe ngosipụta ihe na-emepụtaghị emepụta na nkenke oghere na-akọwa ahụmịhe obibi ndụ tọrọ atọ ma na-emikpu emikpu.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha

Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị dị n'ọkwa kachasị elu, mara mma ma na-eju anya. Ndị meriri na Ọlaọcha bụ ọrụ na-egbu maramara nke ukwuu ma dị oke nzụlite nke na-egosi ọmarịcha ihe ọmụma, talent na nghọta nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe ga-abụ ọrụ dị ịtụnanya, ihe nlereanya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị omimi n'ihe ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha bụ ihe e mepụtara dị oke ịrịba ama, nke a na-eto nke na-erite uru ma na-ebuga oke nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ n'ihu. Ridge House Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Vila Nkeonwe bụ ihe e kere eke ọtụtụ ndị na-ekwo ekworo ya nke na-akpali ọchịchọ, na-eweta mmetụta ọma ma na-akpali ịtụnanya.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Ridge House is a private villa interior defined by sculpted mass and material continuity. Unlike conventional luxury residences that rely on ornamentation, this project derives its identity from monolithic stone cladding, controlled shadow, and double height volumes. The strength of the design lies in its restraint, where raw texture, precise detailing, and framed mountain views create a grounded yet refined spatial experience shaped by depth and light.
Dimensions & Packaging: Total built up area 1240 sqm. The principal living space features a double height volume with approximately 7.2 m clear height, while remaining areas maintain standard residential ceiling proportions. The program includes 4 private bedroom suites with en suite bathrooms and an open plan living dining kitchen core. Feature walls utilize custom molded GRC panels fixed to concealed steel subframes, with selective 15 to 20 mm limestone veneer at focal elements. Integrated linear lighting is recessed within cladding junctions to emphasize surface depth and shadow articulation. Full height architectural glazing frames mountain views and ensures thermal performance.
Tags: Ridge House, Luxury Villa Interior, Mountain Inspired Design, Monolithic Interior, GRC Cladding, Double Height Living Space, Sculpted Volumes, Contemporary Residential Design, AlUla Residence
Production Technology: The interior is developed over a reinforced concrete structural framework. Feature walls are constructed using custom molded GRC panels mounted on concealed steel subframes to achieve large scale geological textures while minimizing structural load. Select focal elements utilize thin cut natural limestone veneer over lightweight cores. CNC fabrication ensured dimensional precision, while integrated grazing lighting enhances surface depth and shadow articulation.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was achieving a raw, mountain inspired interior without compromising livability and proportion. Translating geological mass into refined residential space required careful control of scale, light, and circulation. Balancing heavy textured surfaces with expansive glazing demanded precision in detailing and lighting integration. Production feasibility, panel weight limitations, and constructability were key technical constraints addressed through material research and system coordination.
Research: Type of Research: Applied interior design research. Research Objectives: To translate mountain geology into livable interior space while preserving comfort. Methodology: Spatial analysis and material prototyping. Data Collection and Tools Used: Site studies, client interviews, 3D modeling, and cladding mock ups. Participants: Client and technical consultants. Results: Balanced mass and openness. Insights and Impacts: Demonstrates how raw material language can enhance residential identity and experiential quality in contemporary housing.
Inspiration: Ridge House was conceived as an interior interpretation of the mountain ridges of AlUla and the client’s affinity for raw, elemental environments. The inspiration emerged from the geological character of the region, where mass, erosion, and shadow define spatial experience. The design investigates how interior architecture can evoke the permanence and gravity of natural formations while maintaining residential comfort. By sculpting volumes through material continuity and controlled light, the project seeks to create a grounded sanctuary where strength and refinement coexist in quiet balance.
Project Duration: The project commenced in January 2025 in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, and was completed in July 2025. The design phase included concept development, spatial planning, material research, and technical coordination to ensure a coherent and buildable interior environment.
Operation Flow: Ridge House is organized around a central double height living space that acts as the heart of the home. Upon entry, the eye is drawn upward and outward toward framed mountain views. The open plan arrangement allows daily life and social gatherings to flow naturally without rigid separation. Private suites are positioned away from the main volume, creating quiet retreats while remaining visually connected. The layout balances openness and privacy, offering both shared energy and personal calm.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Mai Wahdan, 2025.
Team Members: Mai Wahdan
Image Credits: Image #1: Architectural Visualizer Mai Wahdan (Designer) Mai Wahdan, Ridge House, 2025.
Image #2: Architectural Visualizer Mai Wahdan (Designer) Mai Wahdan, Ridge House, 2025.
Image #3: Architectural Visualizer Mai Wahdan (Designer) Mai Wahdan, Ridge House, 2025.
Image #4: Architectural Visualizer Mai Wahdan (Designer) Mai Wahdan, Ridge House, 2025.
Image #5: Architectural Visualizer Mai Wahdan (Designer) Mai Wahdan, Ridge House, 2025.