Dream Villas

The cave, the hut, the palace. Throughout history, there have been countless facets of living. Yet, giving shape to human dwellings is always an ongoing task. This is because there is one possible house for each individual and because ultimately the house is the most effective map of our individuality.

The house is the membrane between the public context and the private space. It is the most personal belonging one could ever own. The house is about us, our dear ones, our habits and our passions.

For years, architecture has been leveling out according to standards and functions. Now, in the current society which has been hurt and changed by the pandemic, the concept of living is at the center of the design once again. Having to live in social isolation for a long time aroused new needs, aspirations and necessities, even in the most well-to-do contexts.

The house, especially the villa, returned to being the ultimate refuge for people owning it. It is the place where to enjoy nature, which is often too rare in the city. It is the place where to live the widest range of experiences (living, working, practicing sport, having a good time, being taken care of). The countryside is preferred to the city. Here, the possibility to isolate is considered more valuable than reachability.

In the moment of greatest debate about the new paradigms of living, after Desert Accommodation’s suggestions, YAC goes back to Riyadh’s sands with Riyadh Dream Villas. This is the competition aiming at designing two luxury residences situated in the Al Wasil community.

The villa has always been an extraordinarily effective architectural archetype.

Disputed between artificial space and natural landscape, the villa has always been an extraordinarily effective architectural archetype. It has always stood for the most noble concept of dwelling and often materialized the dream house of those who have to give shape to it.

Luxury, post-pandemic aspirations and breathtaking landscape are just some of the pillars of Riyadh Dream Villas. Such competition will invite architects to write a new chapter of living at the edge of Riyadh’s desert by designing two immeasurably valuable architectural interventions. Moreover, they will give their contribution to the ongoing and constant transformation of the most essential architectural typology: the dwelling.

Yac thanks all the architects who will take part in this challenge.