Aziz House Boligbygg by Sara Harhash is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award i Sølv in Arkitektur-, Bygnings- og Konstruksjonsdesign Competition Category.

SølvArkitektur· 2025

Aziz House Boligbygg

by Sara Harhash

Client: SHI Architecture

A' Design Award i Sølv Winner in Arkitektur Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #170382

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Colors

The Design

About Aziz House Boligbygg

Aziz House er et familiehvilehus i Buraydah, Saudi-Arabia. Boligen er utformet for å passe sine ørkenomgivelser, med passiv kjøling, naturlig ventilasjon og skyggelegging for komfort. Formen henter inspirasjon fra kykladisk volumoppbygging, najdiske geometriske mønstre og marokkanske leiretoner. Fasadene er behandlet med Tadelakt, et naturlig kalkpuss som påføres for hånd, komprimeres og poleres til en vanntett glans, før det forsegles med olivenoljesåpe. Perforerte betongblokker gir privatliv og filtrert lys. Tomtearealet er 3740 kvadratmeter, og det totale gulvarealet er 1180 kvadratmeter.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Sølv

Aziz House Boligbygg er vinner av A' Design Award i Sølv, en usedvanlig prestisjefylt anerkjennelse som tildeles design i toppklassen som er nydelige og imponerende. Sølvvinnere er enormt briljante og usedvanlig kreative verk som viser designernes enestående ekspertise, talent og skarpsindighet. Aziz House Boligbygg forventes å være et praktfullt utstillingsverk som er bemerkelsesverdig profesjonelt og dypt nyskapende. Dette designet, som har vunnet A' Design Award i Sølv, er en svært bemerkelsesverdig, beundret oppfinnelse som gagner og flytter grensene for kunst, vitenskap, design og teknologi. Aziz House Boligbygg er et skaperverk mange misunner, som vekker ønsker, gir positive følelser og vekker undring og forundring.

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