Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis by Sara Harhash

Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis by Sara Harhash is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Architectura Competition Category.

ArgentumArchitectura· 2025

Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis

by Sara Harhash

Client: SHI Architecture

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Architectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170382

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Colors

The Design

About Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis

Domus Aziz est domus quietis familiaris in urbe Buraydah, Arabia Saudiana. Habitatio ita designata est ut loco deserto suo conveniat, refrigeratione passiva, ventilatione naturali atque umbraculis ad commoditatem utens. Forma eius ex mole aedificiorum Cycladicorum, figuris geometricis Najdianis coloribusque argillaceis Mauritanis hausta est. Frontes Tadelakt perfectae sunt, tectorio calcis naturali quod manu inducitur, comprimitur ac politur usque ad nitorem aquae impervium, deinde sapone olei olivarum obsignatur. Laterculi perflatiles secretum lucemque percolatam praebent. Area loci est tria milia septingenti quadraginta metra quadrata et area totius pavimenti mille centum octoginta metra quadrata.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Aziz House Aedificium Habitationis creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Aziz Rest House, a family retreat in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, seamlessly integrates with its desert surroundings while addressing environmental, social, and cultural needs. The design employs passive cooling, natural ventilation, and strategic shading to enhance comfort. Drawing inspiration from traditional architecture, it reinterprets construction methods and elements to ensure sustainability and privacy. This approach creates a harmonious connection to the local context, fostering a lifestyle
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area : 3740 m2
Total Floor Area: 1180 m2
Tags: Saudi Arabia, Rest house, Residential, Clay, Local,
Production Technology: The facades are treated with eco-friendly material Tadelakt, a Moroccan lime plaster finish. Crafted from natural lime, it’s hand-applied, compressed, and polished to a lustrous, waterproof sheen, sealed with olive oil soap for durability. Used across the exterior, it cloaks the walls in a seamless, organic texture that withstands weather while exuding tranquility. Its subtle elegance enhances the retreat’s aesthetic, harmonizing with the environment and offering a tactile connection to nature.
Design Challenge: Merging three distinct architectural styles Cycladic, Najdi, and Moroccan. While maintaining design harmony.
Ensuring that the fusion of these styles respects cultural traditions and remains aesthetically cohesive.
Research: We visited the site in Buraydah to study its desert environment and Saudi culture, the client’s needs were balanced between privacy and luxury. The research focused on eco-friendly materials available locally and innovative breeze block manufacturing. The 3D modeling phase was challenging, as it required multiple iterations using Max, Rhino, and Revit. The landscape incorporated a desert theme with cacti and a duck pond to enhance cooling.
Inspiration: This design is inspired by three key influences: Cycladic architecture, with its massed forms and shaded facades for climate adaptation; Najdi cultural patterns, reflecting Saudi heritage through geometric motifs and vibrant hues; and Moroccan clay, providing an earthy, tranquil aesthetic. Together, these elements create a harmonious retreat that balances tradition with sustainability, respecting the local environment while ensuring a serene and comfortable living experience.
Project Duration: The project is located in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. The design was finished in April 2024 and The construction is still in process
Operation Flow: The Aziz Rest House is designed as a tranquil retreat, evoking warmth and inner peace. Its primary goal is to create a serene environment where visitors can relax and reconnect with themselves. Thoughtful spatial composition enhances comfort and fosters a sense of personal sanctuary. Every element is carefully integrated to promote relaxation, offering a harmonious haven that provides calm and respite from the demands of daily life
Team Members: Sarah Harhash
Ahmed Nader
Mustafa Hussain
Abdulrahman Ahmed