Aziz House Woongebouw by Sara Harhash is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Zilver in Architectuur, Gebouwen en Constructieontwerp Competition Category.

ZilverArchitectuur· 2025

Aziz House Woongebouw

by Sara Harhash

Client: SHI Architecture

A' Design Award in Zilver Winner in Architectuur Category

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Verified Award Winner
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The Design

About Aziz House Woongebouw

Aziz House is een familievakantiehuis in Buraydah, Saoedi-Arabië. De woning is ontworpen om aan te sluiten bij haar woestijnomgeving, met passieve koeling, natuurlijke ventilatie en schaduwwerking voor comfort. De vorm is geïnspireerd op Cycladische volumeopbouw, Najdi geometrische patronen en Marokkaanse kleitinten. De gevels zijn afgewerkt met Tadelakt, een natuurlijke kalkpleister die met de hand wordt aangebracht, verdicht en gepolijst tot een waterdichte glans, en vervolgens verzegeld met olijfoliezeep. Claustrablokken zorgen voor privacy en gefilterd licht. Het terreinoppervlak bedraagt 3740 vierkante meter en de totale vloeroppervlakte is 1180 vierkante meter.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Zilver

Aziz House Woongebouw is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Zilver, een buitengewoon prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan topontwerpen die prachtig en indrukwekkend zijn. Winnaars in Zilver zijn enorm briljante en uiterst creatieve werken die de uitmuntende expertise, het talent en de scherpzinnigheid van hun ontwerpers illustreren. Aziz House Woongebouw wordt verwacht een prachtig paradepaardje te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en diepgaand innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Zilver heeft gewonnen, is een hoogst opmerkelijke, bewonderde uitvinding die baat en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verlegt. Aziz House Woongebouw is een zeer benijde creatie die verlangens oproept, positieve gevoelens brengt en verbazing en verwondering doet ontvlammen.

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