The objective of theOtherDada (tOD), in this project, is to provide sustainable architectural solutions for the insulation of this family house, in particular from the harsh climate of Riyadh which is accentuated by the poor and unreliable infrastructure of the rapidly sprawling city.
The North, South and West walls of the house give directly to the street and are therefore generally blind with minimum openings. Conversely, a fully glazed interior front allows for maximum exploitation of daylight and the garden view while an integrated system of shutters allows the house to become totally impervious to the outside. The program includes a bunker that extends on two floors and that can shelter the whole family.
The ground floor comprises the public functions as well as the daughter’s quarters which are given a distinct treatment. The upper private areas are treated as two separate volumes; the result of their staggering creates a number of shaded and private terraces gathered around the swimming pool.
The client’s request for a sealed and controlled environment was met by closing the building to the outside while keeping a cautious dialogue with the exterior garden. This dialogue is defined by the articulation of the building volumes; it can be completely shut off and tentatively resumed.
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