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Services
Residential Interior Design in the US and Europe, Architectural Design & General Contracting
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Project Scale
4844 sq. ft
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Completion
Concept 2023
OLT DESIGN, drawing on its extensive experience in residential projects, participated in the House of the Future competition. We challenged our team of designers and architects to develop a visionary yet realistic concept for homes to be built across Dubai.
This prestigious event, organized by Buildner in collaboration with the Dubai Government, the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, aimed to design a revolutionary, innovative house tailored to the needs of Emiratis living in Dubai.
General Project Requirements
Submissions should have met the following requirements:
- The budget was limited to a maximum of 1 million Emirati Dirhams.
- Use of innovative and disruptive materials was encouraged.
- The competition did not specify a particular site, but designs were to be created for a land plot in the UAE.
Building Specifications:
- Recommended plot size: 15 m x 30 m (450 m²)
- Recommended total building floor area: 300 m²
- Building height: Minimum G + 1, maximum G + 2
Resident Zone Requirements:
The house should accommodate a family of 4 to 6 members.
- “Must Have” Resident Zone Areas include: 4 – 5 bedrooms, car parking for at least 2 cars, garden, pantry, living room, washroom + WC for each bedroom and the living room, dressing area for each bedroom, driver room + washroom.
- “Optional but Recommended” Areas: dining area, server room, office, majlis (social hosting area, with privacy from the rest of the villa).
Service Block Requirements:
The service block can be attached or detached from the main house and must include: laundry & ironing room, maid room + washroom, kitchen, storage.
Inspiration
The villa’s design was inspired by the natural formations typical of the Persian Gulf region.
The undulating contours of the mountain cliffs, sculpted by the forces of nature and time, symbolize a harmonious balance between earth and air, evoking a profound sense of tranquility. Weathered rock formations rise prominently against the backdrop of the plains, as if meticulously crafted by an architect.
Natural materials played a significant role in determining the color and aesthetics of the exterior. The warm natural shades of sand and clay not only seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment but also bridge the gap between the natural and man-made landscapes. This fusion of natural Eastern motifs with modern architecture results in a well-balanced image of the villa.
The Concept: BALANCE
The concept, created by OLT DESIGN team, is built upon the idea of BALANCE which is reflected in three crucial areas.
- Achieving the BALANCE in quality, cost, and speed during construction.
- Maintaining the BALANCE between residents’ comfort and the region’s extreme weather conditions, with the house serving as the primary means of preserving this equilibrium.
- Striving for the BALANCE between the building usability and its impact on the environment, ensuring both construction and use are the most sustainable solutions.
To deliver this vision we combined architecture with the modern methods of construction and feasible energy efficiency solutions. Moreover, such approach supports the governmental initiative, aimed at helping Dubai take the lead in achieving the UAE’s national strategic goals of reaching net zero by 2050.
Architecture & Exterior Design
The earthy color palette, warm sandy tones, and materiality of the exterior were conditioned by the local natural materials used in 3D printing, adding to the ancient local spirit of the city.
Large windows create a sense of openness.
Inclusion of greenery, wooden elements, and a water area further enhance the feeling of connection with nature.
Functional Zoning
The layout is divided into distinct zones:
- Front entrance
- The majlis, serving as a guest area, is also located on the ground floor, ensuring privacy for the remaining areas of the house.
- The service block, which includes garage and staff facilities, such as pantry, laundry, kitchen, maid’s room, and driver’s room, is located on the ground floor.
- The residential block, which includes shared spaces, occupies a significant portion of the ground floor, extends to the second floor, and opens onto the rooftop terrace.
- The yard, which features a dining area near the barbecue, a children’s playground, a basketball playing area, a hammock, and a relaxation area near the decorative pool.
Navigation
While the housing concept combines both residential and service blocks in one building, the navigation system is arranged to keep residents and service staff on different paths.
Nevertheless, there is one designated entrance for the staff to access the residential area through the laundry, in order to ensure quick movement if necessary.
Modern Methods of Construction
We turned to modern methods of construction and consider 3D printing technology as a perfect match to keep all aspects of the BALANCE. 3D printing will help reach several goals:
- reduce cost, especially if constructing the whole district,
- drive faster delivery,
- reduce emissions during construction and ensure greener delivery, including due to using local materials,
- reduce the workforce and the influence of the human factor,
- make the building more sustainable during its exploitation,
- reach the perfect fusion of the old and the new through mixing the spirit of local materials with the modern technologies.
Sustainability
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building Design:
- Solar panels & charging station
- High-performance building envelope
- Passive design
- Locally sourced materials with high thermal resistance
- Natural ventilation
- Smart technologies
- Biophilic design & landscaping
- Energy-efficient lighting & appliances
Cooling Strategies:
- Double-glazed windows with low-E coatings
- Solar control films
- Shading solutions: overhangs, blinds, and cool roofing
- Natural and energy-efficient ventilation
- Alternative evaporative cooling
- Passive cooling
Water-Saving Solutions:
- Low-flow fixtures and appliances
- Greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting
- Water-efficient landscaping: native, drought-resistant plants
- Drip irrigation
- Permeable paving and water-smart design
- Living walls & vertical garden fences
Interior Design
- Minimalist yet functional.
- Neutral color palette.
- Textural contrast of soft fabrics, smooth surfaces, and natural wood.
- High-quality natural materials like marble, stone, and wood for furnishings and finishes.
- Furniture with clean lines and simple silhouettes.
- Chandeliers and light fixtures double as decorative elements.
- Ample lighting through large windows, atrium, glass doors, and light fixtures.
- Floor-to-ceiling glass walls blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces by creating seamless transitions, connecting the interior with outdoor areas.
Urban Planning
The density of land plots with an area of 450 m2 each (15×30 m) on one hand enhances the feasibility of engineering solutions. But on the other hand, it restricts the availability of private green spaces. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the possibility of creating recreational zones at the district level.
Depending on the arrangement of land plots, we propose three approaches to combining land plots and public recreational areas.
a) along the street with offset
b) frontal
c) central
