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‘Ma Bayn’ House

DESIGN COMPETITION, 2022

Typology Luxury Accommodation
Location al-Ula, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

MA BAYN: “Between”

The genesis of the dwelling is the space between the two prominent outcrops on the site. A series of parallel lines become walls that create different spaces in-between inside and out, between sky and sand, between rock and water. These lines extend into the landscape and are distorted in places to enhance views, manipulate light and provide opportunities for dwelling. These lines in plan become a new hieroglyphic, a coded reference to architecture existing in-between the past and an unknown future.

The monolithic forms of the building suggest a dialogue between architecture and the mountain backdrop. The horizontality also enhanced by the layers of the rammed earth evoke the landscape whilst the eroded openings add a clustered vertical composition. The openings frame very particular views through the different internal spaces. The architecture is one of simple, yet strong geometries and limited colour and material palettes to not compete both internally and externally with the natural forms and beauty of the location.

The shading device takes reference from the palm tree groves and are seen as an extension of the existing grove of trees.