Al Azra Home Woonhuis by Ardh Architects

Al Azra Home Woonhuis by Ardh Architects is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award in Brons in Architectuur, Gebouwen en Constructieontwerp Competition Category.

BronsArchitectuur· 2020

Al Azra Home Woonhuis

by Ardh Architects

Client: Ardh Architects

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Architectuur Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Al Azra Home Woonhuis

Book Text: Al Azra Home is een eengezinswoning op één verdieping in het Emiraat Sharjah, Verenigde Arabische Emiraten. Het huis is ontworpen als een rustige toevluchtsoord voor een gepensioneerde dame, op het perceel waar ooit haar familiehuis stond. Twee slaapkamers, een kantoor, een open woon- en eetkamer, een half open keuken met een ontbijteiland en een dienstbodekamer zijn rondom een binnenplaats gerangschikt. Steenbekleding met een ventilatiespleet en drievoudige beglazing verminderen hitte, stof en geluid. Porseleinen vloeren zijn op één niveau aangelegd voor gemakkelijke beweging. Inheemse bomen en planten zorgen voor privacy en een gevoel van rust.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

Al Azra Home Woonhuis is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Brons, een hoogst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan uitstekende ontwerpen die zich onderscheiden door creativiteit, vindingrijkheid en scherpzinnigheid. Winnaars in Brons zijn ruimschoots vaardige en opvallend creatieve artefacten die de grote ervaring, verbeelding en het vernuft van hun ontwerpers bevestigen. Al Azra Home Woonhuis wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerd, bewonderd en gekoesterd object te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Brons heeft gewonnen, verwerkt de beste praktijken in kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie en is uitstekend door zijn aandacht voor detail. Al Azra Home Woonhuis bevredigt schitterend behoeften, raakt verlangens, charmeert gevoelens en spreekt de nieuwsgierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Al Azra is a residential ground floor building in the emirate of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates

It was commissioned as a residential retreat for a retired Emirati lady in the old location of her original house when she was younger.

The house hosts just 2 bedrooms, an office, an open-plan living & dining space overlooking the inner courtyard, along side a semi-open modern kitchen with a breakfast island and a maid's room.

A generous use of vegetation provides privacy and serenity.
Dimensions & Packaging: The house (without the water feature) covers 485.17 square meters, with dimensions: 23.9m x 20.3m, on a plot of 5,319.8 square meters, with dimensions: 67m x 79.4m
Tags: Sharjah, Al Azra Home, Ardh, Contemporary Design
Production Technology: The house is designed to use stone cladding with a ventilation gap that acts as an extra layer of insulation against the hot climate of the region
Also tripple glass glazing is specified for optimum dust, sound, and heat insulation.

The floors are porcelain tiles, all one level to ensure the ease of mobility around the house.
Design Challenge: The challenges that were faced in this project included cleaning the existing site from the overgrown invasive species, fixing some water pipe leakage, and introducing a new approach to a residential building footprint in relation to the main plot (usually owners built the entire plot leaving only the setback allowance and not focusing on the landscape and vegetation.
Research: In the very same location, previously, stood the client's old house, where she had her family. As she grew older, she moved to another location and the old house needed to be demolished. However, after many years, she wanted to build a new one with the function of a serene retreat.
Since the plot was abandoned for a long time, a water leak from the neighboring plot allowed for some invasive species to grow.
A research was conducted to confirm the status of the invasive species and part of the design was dedicated to replant and grow native trees on the plot (Such as Ghaaf tree) to preserve the habitat and authenticity of the location.
Inspiration: This house was inspired by the serenity of an oasis, where the water and the vegetation brings life into the bare desert

Given the size of the plot, there was room to locate the house right where privacy could be maintained without constriction of outdoor space.

Located on a corner plot, tall trees are positioned to provide privacy from the neighbouring house and any future construction on the top adjacent plot, while shorter trees and plants are planted on the other two free corners.
Project Duration: The project is located in the Al Azra area in the emirate of Sharjah, in the united Arab emirates.

Construction haven't started yet.
Operation Flow: This house is designed to function as a retreat house for the client. It was specifically requested to have only 2 bedrooms, one for the client and one for a visiting guest or care provider. However, the living and dining spaces needed to be cozy yet spacious to allow for her children and grandchildren to gather around and enjoy the view. The house is set deep into the plot to create a surprising reveal once the visiting cars reach the house as well as maintain privacy of occupants.
Patents: Ardh
Team Members: Omran Alowais
Wisam ElSayed