The design draws inspiration from Al-Ula's rich cultural and historical backdrop, connecting the house to the ancient water-collection infrastructure of the Nabatean Civilization. This approach addresses water scarcity, a persistent issue in the region, while paying homage to the resourceful methods of ancient civilizations. The house mirrors the ingenuity of those who once carved through rock to thrive in Al-Ula’s harsh environment. It integrates passive solutions to similar climatic conditions, embracing a design language informed by historical resilience.
The proposal envisions a courtyard house for a small family seeking an innovative yet respectful response to Al-Ula’s challenging environmental and cultural context. The client values architecture that harmonizes with the land while prioritizing sustainability and resource conservation.
Al-Ula, a region of extraordinary natural beauty in Saudi Arabia, is defined by its striking mountainous landscape, historical significance, and fragile ecosystem. The depletion of its groundwater reserves due to unsustainable farming practices has heightened the urgency of designing interventions that respect and regenerate the land. The project site situates the house within this context, aligning with Al-Ula’s cultural narrative and environmental challenges.
The project involves designing a single-family courtyard house partially sunken into the ground. The scale of the intervention is intimate, focusing on creating a self-contained ecosystem that engages with its surroundings. The scope extends beyond residential architecture to include water management and ecological integration, making the design both functional and regenerative.
The design adopts an inward-looking typology, with a sunken courtyard that collects and recycles rainwater. The architecture is conceived as an “inverted sandcastle,” disappearing into the terrain and creating a seamless connection with the landscape. The flowing form of the house echoes Al-Ula’s valleys, while its walls—cast from an experimental rammed-earth material—reflect the textures and hues of the natural surroundings. Spaces are designed to emphasize contrasts: natural versus man-made, above versus below, and inside versus outside.
The courtyard serves a dual purpose as a water reservoir, capturing both ablution water and stormwater runoff. This water flows through a remediation system that supports agroecological practices, with any excess replenishing the groundwater table. Collaborations with 'Studio Libani' aim to create a microenvironment by exploring techniques such as pressing forms into sand and incorporating natural pigmentation. Thoughtful planting strategies and subtle design interventions evoke a sense of archaeological discovery, enriching the house's contextual narrative.
The courtyard house serves as a harmonious dialogue between architecture and nature, blending into its surroundings while addressing pressing issues like water scarcity. By drawing from historical precedents and embracing innovative sustainable practices, the project becomes a contemporary artifact rooted in Al-Ula’s cultural and ecological heritage. Its subtle yet bold design exemplifies how architecture can respect and give back to the land, fostering a sense of place and responsibility for future generations.
