In Saudi Arabia, the demographic of the cities is changing as we observe a growing younger population,

and a need for more youth-oriented, inclusive structures. Keyword – Inclusive! The concept of

architecture relies on art conceived through form, emotion and creativity to build a space for you. By

combining practical and aesthetic appeal, the infrastructure is meant to create a volume of memories

for its residents.

However, the want for privacy is unmet due to the patterns of the net urban plan found in most of the

Kingdom cities. These patterns have been created primarily to restrict integration with neighbors and

streets, and other factors, but they do not meet the demand or luxury of privacy. Generally, the old

houses interlink with each other for two reasons;

(a) As a response to the extreme climate – True to Najdi architecture, the houses comprise of a

two-story house with a courtyard and the exterior walls are usually over 80 cm thick. These

houses are usually located within the heritage sites and historical locations within the city.

(b) For the country’s commitment to customs and traditions – Being progressive is fundamental

to our current day and age and with the country’s adoption of travel, global exposure and a

social media presence, the residents need for privacy still remains an important factor in

choosing a home. Due to this, naturally, the beauty and innovation of design was lost and

repetition in architecture was implemented; the net was created.

Currently, they operate like a net – everything is connected. The four sides of the house are either

street view or neighbors which really restrict privacy for the families but that’s been the norm for

years on end.

While ancient architecture is known for its simplicity, it basically mirrors its surrounding desert

environment. In Saudi Arabia, an increase in designing medium-to-low-level homes was observed

recently, due to their cost-effectiveness but also the lack of response to innovation.

It became time to acknowledge that the traditional methods of housing development will simply not

offer the space, innovation or community welfare that is readily available through today’s innovative

architecture.

X Villa

The Ministry of Housing in Saudi Arabia launched an initiative to support the design dreamers in the

industry. They were offering high-quality designs and architecture prototypes by well-known

architectural local firms, some valued at almost 10,000 Riyals, to introduce innovation in the sector.

The initiative is testing the waters to identify ways of raising the quality of life, the standard of housing,

and increase awareness of high-quality architectural designs in the Kingdom.

This allowed Project X Villa to be born.

X Villa is a combination of futuristic design, functionality and contemporary art. It embodies an

inspiration, innovative home structure in a never-seen-before concept. The prototype will be built to

withstand various topographies across the Kingdom.

The aerodynamics within the house are created by the wind passing over the courtyard in the middle.

This generates a low-pressure zone that can be absorbed in vortex. The air flows from rooms around

the courtyard and can go against the low pressure by escaping through the narrow openings in the

rooms. When the sun heats up the courtyard, the warm air (comparatively lighter) rises, which creates

a chimney effect and attracts a breeze throughout the rooms. At any point during the day or night,

the courtyard’s structure and mechanics restrict the heat and create a cooling atmosphere.

The installation of the plants in and surrounding the house create an aerial cooling system that not

only regulates the temperate indoors but also from the outside. The inspiration for the project came

from the days everyone spent drawing houses, rooms, buildings as children. Everyone has imagined a

perfect home as a child, and tried to encapsulate that in a drawing or a painting. As children,forts were

drawn to protect the residents of the imaginary castle from the outside world, much like the privacyseekers

in the Kingdom.

X Villa was also inspired by the great grandfathers of design and architecture in the country; the

founders of the Najdi style. While their teachings remain part of the prototype, Villa X is still a futuristic

approach to classical Najdi style which can now be implemented anywhere due to its ‘plug and play’,

mobile structure. Due to its versatile form, the façade finishing is customizable to each buyer’s unique

taste.

Bearing in mind the need for inclusive designs and innovation in the country’s architecture,

contemporary and creativity were merged with traditional methods for this project.

Our imagined castle, the first-ever sketch of a perfect home is now a reality with X Villa.

Author:

Aala Qahtani, Founder Architect of AALA QAHTANI ARCHITECTS

Aala is the Founder of Aala Qahtani Architects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and designs commercial and

residential projects around the world. She believes architecture is not about the build or the area, but

about how the design makes you feel. Guided by traditions paved by the generations before us, Aala

embraces storytelling and a simplicity that enriches the quality of living. Being a quantum physics

enthusiast, she embeds the great galaxy into her unique structural ideas, new materials and concepts,

which are taking the world by a storm.