Burj Residence
Located in one of Dubai’s busiest residential neighbourhoods,
the Burj Residence by Dubai-based practice VHSD Design
is surrounded by many low-rise houses and eschews gilded
luxury for spatial opulence.
The client requested a design that ensures the highest level
of privacy and allows for the construction of a 1,600m^2 house
on a relatively compact plot. He also requested a certain level
of grandeur with plenty of natural light.
VSHD Design, an award-winning firm founded by Rania
M Hamed, responded in kind by creating an L-shaped house
that looks into the inside of the plot, allowing the family to
enjoy the pool and the lush garden area while maintaining
its privacy.
The entry experience starts at the boundary wall, which
optimises the plot size and overlooks the Burj Al Arab.
A timber overhang was incorporated to complete the
geometry of the “L” and to provide privacy to the internal
corridor from the street side.
One of the biggest challenges, according to the architects,
was to redefine the meaning of luxury.
“We wanted to create a mood of grandeur – a magnificent
space minus all the usual glitter,” says Hamed. “We imagined
a space that one would normally experience in museums and
grand galleries.”
This kind of grandiosity was achieved through mastering
proportions, the use of natural materials and ample natural
light.
Accordingly, scale was key in the project where all the
openings were fitted with full-length doors and windows
that reach the ceiling level, giving all these objects a powerful
presence and allowing for natural light to stream in.
The internal “L” outline is transparent with large spans of
sliding glass doors. The large glass panels have a slim linear
profile creating a seamless boundary between outdoor and
indoor spaces.
This opens up the boxy structure of the house to a view of
the pool and garden, and creates a visual link between all the
living spaces.A private villa in Dubai by award-
winning firm VSHD Design optimises
privacy and natural materials
Written by Shweta Parida
Images courtesy of VSHD Design14 / INSIGHT: RESIDENCE