Mediterranean Arabic House Design

July 2, 2018 Architectural Design Saudi Arabia Villa

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Scope of services: Architectural Design, Structural Engineering and MEP Engineering
Date: March 2018
Client: Waleed Alwalaie, Executive Leadership at ESADE Business & Law School

Red-tiled, low-pitched roofs, arches and crisp white walls evoke an old-world charm in this Mediterranean Arabic house design located in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Designed for a prominent businessman and his family, the modern massing combined with quaint Mediterranean-style design details make this home both inviting and exotic at the same time. While the concept behind the design is steeped in Arabic and Islamic tradition and culture, with a focus on family and social life, Mediterranean features such as crown moldings and arched facade embellishments add an elegant finishing touch to the elevation of the villa.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 2 - Three-story Mediterranean Arabic house design with prominent Mediterranean features on the façade from low pitched roofs and red shingles, to arches and intricate wrought iron gates, combining the Arabic culture in interior space planning with Mediterranean design elements, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 3 - Three-story Mediterranean Arabic house design with prominent Mediterranean features on the façade from low pitched roofs and red shingles, to arches and intricate wrought iron gates, combining the Arabic culture in interior space planning with Mediterranean design elements, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 4 - Three-story Mediterranean Arabic house design with prominent Mediterranean features on the façade from low pitched roofs and red shingles, to arches and intricate wrought iron gates, combining the Arabic culture in interior space planning with Mediterranean design elements, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 5 - Three-story Mediterranean Arabic house design with prominent Mediterranean features on the façade from low pitched roofs and red shingles, to arches and intricate wrought iron gates, combining the Arabic culture in interior space planning with Mediterranean design elements, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

The villa is encompassed by a tall, solid masonry property wall to obstruct outside views into the property. Intricate wrought-iron gates, another feature reminiscent of the Mediterranean revival style, serve as entrances to the villa compound. A covered car port offers protection from the harsh sunlight, capped by a red-tiled roof, which is a distinct feature in the rest of this Mediterranean Arabic house design. A water fountain built into the compound wall is symbolic of the generosity of the Islamic culture and offers passersby relief from the unrelenting heat with a much welcomed drink of water.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 8 - Cobblestone paved entrance courtyard welcomes the home owners and their guests, centered by a water fountain and located at the axis of the imposing double height entrance, enhancing the outdoor ambience of the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design12 - Cobblestone paved entrance courtyard welcomes the home owners and their guests, centered by a water fountain and located at the axis of the imposing double height entrance, enhancing the outdoor ambience of the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 13 - Cobblestone paved entrance courtyard welcomes the home owners and their guests, centered by a water fountain and located at the axis of the imposing double height entrance, enhancing the outdoor ambience of the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Since the architecture and design of many up-scale Saudi homes is heavily influenced by Islamic traditions which place great importance on family, a large part of the property is usually reserved for outdoor areas for the family and guests to enjoy. In this Mediterranean Arabic house design, the exterior spaces wrap elegantly around the villa, creating several opportunities for communal gatherings and social interaction.

A tiered fountain forms the focal point of the entrance courtyard and is centered on axis with the imposing double-height entrance flanked by decorative white, marble columns. This entrance, for male family members and visitors, leads into a luxurious double–height living room and men’s Majlis. A more discreet, arched entrance provides separate access for the women as is customary in many Saudi homes. The entrance courtyard is paved with concrete cobblestones with wide joints, which help to break up the expanse of the hardscape. The charming cobblestones and fountain transport you back to old Mediterranean courtyard villas.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 6 - Cobblestone paved entrance courtyard welcomes the home owners and their guests, centered by a water fountain and located at the axis of the imposing double height entrance and leads to an elegant pavilion, enhancing the outdoor ambience of the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 7 - An elegant pavilion placed at a cozy corner in the Mediterranean Arabic house, supported with classic white columns and topped with red tiles roof with the addition of the delicate curtains and cobblestone paving, providing an inviting breakfast corner for the residents, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 9 - An elegant pavilion placed at a cozy corner in the Mediterranean Arabic house, supported with classic white columns and topped with red tiles roof with the addition of the delicate curtains and cobblestone paving, providing an inviting breakfast corner for the residents, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 10 - An elegant pavilion placed at a cozy corner in the Mediterranean Arabic house, supported with classic white columns and topped with red tiles roof with the addition of the delicate curtains and cobblestone paving, providing an inviting breakfast corner for the residents, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 11 - An elegant pavilion placed at a cozy corner in the Mediterranean Arabic house, supported with classic white columns and topped with red tiles roof with the addition of the delicate curtains and cobblestone paving, providing an inviting breakfast corner for the residents, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

An elegant pavilion situated at the corner of the property provides the perfect venue for al fresco dining during the cooler evenings. Supported by white columns and topped with a red-tiled roof, this pavilion mirrors the architecture of the main residence and lends the entrance courtyard a resort-like ambiance with its delicate white curtains and elegant outdoor furniture. Cone and spherical shaped topiaries form part of the landscape palette, which comprises of varied textures and shades of green to perfectly compliment the formal, classical vibe of the architecture.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 14 - The modern massing of forms feature arched entrances and windows, low pitched roofs with red tiles that create a combination of Arabic culture in the interior space planning with Mediterranean embellishments on the façade that seamlessly achieve the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 15 - The modern massing of forms feature arched entrances and windows, low pitched roofs with red tiles that create a combination of Arabic culture in the interior space planning with Mediterranean embellishments on the façade that seamlessly achieve the Mediterranean Arabic house design, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Leading off the courtyard, discreetly situated in the side yard, a flight of steps with a wood and wrought iron banister, leads down into a tiled indoor entertainment space. Commonly used by the owner’s sons for entertaining friends, this basement patio is brightly lit with floor to ceiling windows and overlooks a charming seating area and outdoor fireplace. Graced by a sheeting water feature against the backdrop of a living green wall, the basement patio is bathed in natural light and provides the perfect entertainment space for private parties away from the more public spaces of the villa.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 16 - Off of the cobblestone paved courtyard in the Mediterranean Arabic house, a discreet flight of stairs with wooden rail and wrought iron balustrade lead down to an underground entertainment space, reminiscent of the easy strolls along the Mediterranean alleyways, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Mediterranean Arabic House Design 17 - A narrow flight of stairs lead down to the basement patio in the Mediterranean Arabic house, despite being underground, the natural daylight and the use of vertical garden wall create a lively and well-lit space perfect for the residents to entertain their guests, by Comelite Architecture, Structure and Interior Design.

Standing tall and elegant, this Mediterranean Arabic house design combines the intrinsic values and beliefs of the Islamic and Arabic culture at the core of its design, with a distinct Mediterranean flavor that is harmoniously integrated into its facade treatment.

Start a project