Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete by Mai Wahdan

Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete by Mai Wahdan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Sebaka sa Ka Hare le Dipontsho Competition Category.

SileveraKa Hare· 2026

Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete

by Mai Wahdan

Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award Winner in Ka Hare Category

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The Design

About Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete

Sengoliloeng sa Buka: Ridge House ke kahare ho vila ya poraefete e bōptšitsoeng ke maralla a thabeng a AlUla a hlollang. Moralo o hlalosa boholo ba lefatše le ho khohlolwa ho fihla ka mekhoabo e betliloeng, libaka tse nang le sebopeho, le moriti o laoloang. Libaka tse nang le bolelele bo habeli li ntlafatsa botebo bo tobaneng, ha lihlahisoa tse bonahalang ka bophara bo phethahetseng li bopa litšoantšo tsa libaka tse hōle 'me li atolosa kahare ho leba moeling. Ho apesoa ka GRC e entsoeng ka tloaelo le veneer e khethiloeng ea lefika le lesoeu li theha sebaka se kang lefika le le leng empa se hloekileng, moo ponahatso ea thepa e tala le nepahalo ea sebaka li hlalosang phihlelo ea bolulo e tsitsitseng le e kena hare.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award

Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e phahameng ka ho fetesisa, e ntle le e tsosang maikutlo. Bahapi ba Silevera ke mesebetsi e khanyang haholo le e nang le boqapi bo ikhethang e bontšang botsebi, talenta le bohlale ba baqapi ba eona. Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete e lebelletsoe ho ba mosebetsi o motle, oa mohlala, o nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha e tebileng. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award ke mohopolo o hlokomelehang haholo le o ratoang o tlisang molemo mme o sutumelletsang meeli ea bonono, mahlale, moralo le theknoloji. Ridge House Tšebetso ya Mantlha: Vila ya Poraefete ke mosebetsi oo batho ba bangata ba o lakatsang, o tsosang litakatso, o tlisang maikutlo a matle le o tsosetsang ho makala le ho hlolla.

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.