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the ovaleya
the ovaleya
United Arab Emirates
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Other Projects by olay studio
the ovaleya
United Arab Emirates
Firm
Type
STATUS
Concept
YEAR
2025
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$10K - 50K
Ovaleya: Reimagining Emirati Vernacular through Contemporary Sustainability
Located within the dynamic context of Dubai—a city where tradition meets global modernity—Ovaleya is a residential project that seeks to reinterpret the essence of Emirati vernacular architecture through a contemporary, sustainable lens. Designed in response to the region’s climate, culture, and evolving urban fabric, the project balances modern aesthetics with traditional values, ecological responsibility, and passive environmental strategies.
Cultural and Climatic Inspiration
Rooted in the architectural language of the UAE—characterized by wind towers (Barjeel), thick thermal walls, courtyards, and decorative Islamic elements—Ovaleya preserves these principles while adapting them to a modern way of living. The design responds to Dubai’s extreme climate—high temperatures, humidity, dust storms, and brief heavy rains—by minimizing artificial cooling, reducing energy consumption, and utilizing natural systems of ventilation and shading.
Form and Spatial Concept
The massing is defined by a compact cubic volume, optimized to reduce solar gain. A central void vertically splits the mass to enhance air movement, daylighting, and zoning between public and private spaces. On both north and south façades, elliptical recesses are carved into the building—offering aerodynamic, acoustic, and symbolic advantages. The oval form, widely used in Dubai’s cultural symbolism, signifies fluidity, harmony, and the connection between past and future—a metaphor for the city’s identity.The northern oval, shaded and planted, forms an inviting entrance with water elements that cool and filter the air. The southern courtyard is more private, housing a natural swimming pool with a bio-filtration system that integrates aquatic plants and bacteria, emulating natural ecosystems. This courtyard fosters thermal comfort and family life while reinforcing introversion and intimacy.
Sustainability Features
Ovaleya integrates several passive and active strategies:
• Dual-layer roofing system: Concrete base with vegetation and misting system; outer layer in reflective metal to reduce heat absorption
• Windcatcher-inspired vertical shaft for natural ventilation
• Terracotta ventilators on façades inspired by traditional Emirati screens
• Solar panels and green roofs for energy production and insulation
• Rainwater collection and recycling via underground thermally-insulated tanks supporting the pool, roof irrigation, and greywater needs
• Thermal zoning: The taller northern volume shades the rest of the building in critical sun hours
• Materials: AAC blocks (lightweight, insulating), microcement, thermowood, natural stone, rammed earth, and brick—selected for performance and context
Program and Layout
The project is divided into two volumes:
• Northern Volume (Two Stories):
o Ground floor: Entrance, parking, majlis, staff/driver quarters, office/library
o Upper floor: Bedrooms, TV lounge, kitchenette with direct access to the rooftop garden, which includes barbecue and seating areas. The volume is designed for potential vertical extension.
• Southern Volume (One Story):
o Living room, kitchen, pantry, guest bedroom (adaptable as a future independent unit). This volume opens fully to the courtyard and bio pool, connecting indoor life with the outdoors.
Wooden shutters on south-facing windows regulate sunlight, and small windows reduce heat gain on exposed façades. The flat green roof on the southern volume provides an additional private outdoor living space with seating, a hammock, and seasonal use.
Water and Energy Autonomy
Each building block is equipped with its own underground water tank, maintaining a closed-loop water cycle:
• Rainwater is collected through sloped roofs and gutters
• Stored in insulated concrete tanks, cooled by underground temperature
• Filtered and redistributed for irrigation, misting, and non-potable use
• Warm greywater is recollected, cooled underground, and reused
This integrated passive cooling and water management system supports the green roof, vertical ventilation shafts, and bio pool—making Ovaleya highly self-reliant and low-impact.
________________________________________
Ovaleya embodies a layered narrative—merging symbolism, performance, and cultural identity—while positioning itself as a forward-thinking model of climate-adapted architecture for Dubai’s future. It challenges the city's fast-paced verticalism with a grounded, introverted, and contextually-rooted approach that is both poetic and practical.
Located within the dynamic context of Dubai—a city where tradition meets global modernity—Ovaleya is a residential project that seeks to reinterpret the essence of Emirati vernacular architecture through a contemporary, sustainable lens. Designed in response to the region’s climate, culture, and evolving urban fabric, the project balances modern aesthetics with traditional values, ecological responsibility, and passive environmental strategies.
Cultural and Climatic Inspiration
Rooted in the architectural language of the UAE—characterized by wind towers (Barjeel), thick thermal walls, courtyards, and decorative Islamic elements—Ovaleya preserves these principles while adapting them to a modern way of living. The design responds to Dubai’s extreme climate—high temperatures, humidity, dust storms, and brief heavy rains—by minimizing artificial cooling, reducing energy consumption, and utilizing natural systems of ventilation and shading.
Form and Spatial Concept
The massing is defined by a compact cubic volume, optimized to reduce solar gain. A central void vertically splits the mass to enhance air movement, daylighting, and zoning between public and private spaces. On both north and south façades, elliptical recesses are carved into the building—offering aerodynamic, acoustic, and symbolic advantages. The oval form, widely used in Dubai’s cultural symbolism, signifies fluidity, harmony, and the connection between past and future—a metaphor for the city’s identity.The northern oval, shaded and planted, forms an inviting entrance with water elements that cool and filter the air. The southern courtyard is more private, housing a natural swimming pool with a bio-filtration system that integrates aquatic plants and bacteria, emulating natural ecosystems. This courtyard fosters thermal comfort and family life while reinforcing introversion and intimacy.
Sustainability Features
Ovaleya integrates several passive and active strategies:
• Dual-layer roofing system: Concrete base with vegetation and misting system; outer layer in reflective metal to reduce heat absorption
• Windcatcher-inspired vertical shaft for natural ventilation
• Terracotta ventilators on façades inspired by traditional Emirati screens
• Solar panels and green roofs for energy production and insulation
• Rainwater collection and recycling via underground thermally-insulated tanks supporting the pool, roof irrigation, and greywater needs
• Thermal zoning: The taller northern volume shades the rest of the building in critical sun hours
• Materials: AAC blocks (lightweight, insulating), microcement, thermowood, natural stone, rammed earth, and brick—selected for performance and context
Program and Layout
The project is divided into two volumes:
• Northern Volume (Two Stories):
o Ground floor: Entrance, parking, majlis, staff/driver quarters, office/library
o Upper floor: Bedrooms, TV lounge, kitchenette with direct access to the rooftop garden, which includes barbecue and seating areas. The volume is designed for potential vertical extension.
• Southern Volume (One Story):
o Living room, kitchen, pantry, guest bedroom (adaptable as a future independent unit). This volume opens fully to the courtyard and bio pool, connecting indoor life with the outdoors.
Wooden shutters on south-facing windows regulate sunlight, and small windows reduce heat gain on exposed façades. The flat green roof on the southern volume provides an additional private outdoor living space with seating, a hammock, and seasonal use.
Water and Energy Autonomy
Each building block is equipped with its own underground water tank, maintaining a closed-loop water cycle:
• Rainwater is collected through sloped roofs and gutters
• Stored in insulated concrete tanks, cooled by underground temperature
• Filtered and redistributed for irrigation, misting, and non-potable use
• Warm greywater is recollected, cooled underground, and reused
This integrated passive cooling and water management system supports the green roof, vertical ventilation shafts, and bio pool—making Ovaleya highly self-reliant and low-impact.
________________________________________
Ovaleya embodies a layered narrative—merging symbolism, performance, and cultural identity—while positioning itself as a forward-thinking model of climate-adapted architecture for Dubai’s future. It challenges the city's fast-paced verticalism with a grounded, introverted, and contextually-rooted approach that is both poetic and practical.
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