Shomali Design’s latest residential project does something unexpected with the ground beneath it. Rather than sprawling across the landscape, the Sarchina Villa hovers above it, suspended on four white brick columns that taper downward into inverted cones. This 250-square-meter residence challenges the conventional approach to building at ground level, proposing instead a floating structure that preserves the terrain below. Yaser and Yasin Rashid Shomali developed this approach as a means to strengthen the relationship between architecture and landscape, rather than compromising it.
Those four columns do more than hold up the building. Their geometric form creates shifting shadow patterns throughout the day, turning the ground beneath into an animated space that changes with the sun’s movement. The white brick construction gives the supports a sculptural quality that makes them feel like intentional design elements rather than structural afterthoughts. By reducing the building’s footprint to these precise points of contact, the villa sits lightly on its site while maintaining a strong architectural presence.
Designer: Shomali Design
The pitched thatched roof brings vernacular building wisdom into the composition. Reed covering references construction methods that local builders have refined over generations, chosen not for aesthetic reasons alone but for genuine climate performance. The material insulates naturally while its textured surface contrasts sharply with the geometric precision below. This roof gives the villa its recognizable silhouette, visible from across the garden as a form that connects historical building practices with contemporary spatial thinking.
Glass walls wrap the main living spaces, framed by dark structural elements that organize the transparency without overwhelming it. These facades dissolve boundaries between inside and outside, making the compact floor plan feel significantly larger. Views extend in multiple directions from the main living area and bedroom, pulling the surrounding landscape into the daily experience of the house. The thatched roof overhead creates a sense of enclosure without blocking those sight lines, establishing distinct zones within an open plan.
Climate considerations shaped the villa’s form from the beginning. Lifting the structure allows air to circulate beneath the living spaces, providing passive cooling that reduces mechanical systems. The thick thatched roof handles insulation while its pitch sheds rainwater efficiently. Glazed walls receive shading from the roof’s overhang during harsh sun angles. These strategies work quietly in the background, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
Sarchina Villa shows what happens when a small residential project receives thoughtful design attention. The building balances lightness against mass, openness against shelter, modern geometry against traditional materials. Its elevated position creates a unique way of occupying the site, one that respects the landscape by touching it minimally. The result is a residence that feels grounded in its context while offering an elevated perspective on the environment around it.
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