AlSaif Villas
Project Overview:
A comprehensive master planning and architectural design project for a private real estate developer. The objective was to subdivide a large land parcel and design a single, highly efficient, and commercially viable villa typology to be repeated across the newly formed plots, targeting the modern Saudi family demographic. The villas are situated with the high-end spectrum of the real estate development local market.
Type: Residential real estate development
Scope: Architectural design
Year: 2025
Location: Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia
Land area: 9240 m2 (154m x 60m)
Unit area: 330 m2
Context:
The project is located in the Al Seif district of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, strategically situated at the intersection of Dammam and Al Khobar. To the west, the district is bordered by King Faisal Road, a major transport artery connecting the two cities. Just beyond this road lies the Al Rakah district and the sprawling campus of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. To the east, the site neighbors Tharwa City, a highly active development hub hosting several major residential projects.
Land and boundaries:
The 9,240 sqm site is situated within a residential zone in the Al Seif district. It is bounded by two 20-meter-wide streets to the north and south, and two 8-meter-wide access lanes to the east and west. The plot is currently surrounded by vacant land zoned for future residential villas and similar developments. Primary vehicular access to the site is provided via the 20-meter streets on the (north and south), which branch directly from King Fahad Road.
Program Diagram:
Layout Solution:
Optimized Circulation: Spaces are arranged to seamlessly accommodate the three primary user scenarios without any cross-traffic conflicts.
Natural Light & Views: Openings are strategically sized and oriented to flood the interior with natural light and frame key views.
Cohesive Design Vocabulary: Curved architectural elements are introduced to maximize spatial efficiency. A curve near the parking improves circulation, while a curved courtyard expands the outdoor living space and reduces the built footprint. This visual language echoes in the exterior facade, unifying the entire project.
Layout Flexibility: Because this is a residential development, the floor plan is designed to adapt to a broad target market rather than a single buyer. The structural framework supports multiple layout modifications to suit diverse needs, including:
Adding a driver’s room along the perimeter fence.
Converting the dining room to expand the guest reception area.
Repurposing the dining room into a guest bedroom.
Replacing the open kitchen to expand the main living area.
Converting the first-floor sitting area into a laundry room.
Section A-A: vertical X horizontal visual connection
Visual connection throughout the ground floor from the guest entry till the living area passing through the courtyard. Several user scenarios across the floors are visually intersecting. Dedicating the back of the roof deck for the water tank and heaters, made the front roof clear to be utilized for activities.
Section B-B: Glimpses in the stairs
The sitting area on the first floor can be seen from the three landings of the stairs when moving through it. The vertical opening in the stairs is designed to fit an elevator in case it is desired by the buyer.
Section C-C: a private courtyard
The repetition of the units achieves an enclosure in the courtyard. Placing services on one side and the courtyard on the other side, results a block of neighbors’ views and noise at each courtyard.
Internally, the balcony in the master suite overlooks the courtyard and the living area. This adds a social layer to a private room where the users can interact with the outside without compromising privacy.
Exterior finishes:
Colors and finishes were carefully selected for distinguishing the project from the surrounding
Color: Beige shades that suits local weather and differs from the white colors that is used in the surrounding.
Textures: Contrasting matte and smooth with roughness creating internal material contrast that frames some architectural elements in the design.
Material finishes: Porcelain tiles for the exterior and outdoor pavement. Beige exterior paint, and perforated breeze block used in the front balcony to provide privacy and allow airflow.
The Entrance:
The curved language starts from the entry; reflecting on door openings, steps, landscape, and massing.
The Outdoor Sitting area:
The upper balcony extends over the outdoor sitting area shading. A fan is mounted in the ceiling of the sitting area to circulate the air in the courtyard during humidity season.
The Courtyard:
After passing the guest entry in the front, the house opens up with a private courtyard that provides light, air, and views to the family zone. The courtyard connects the parking to the storage in the kitchen.
Views:
The master suite, upper corridor, and a bedroom overlook the private courtyard.
The Guest Reception:
The guest reception opens to a lush garden in the front of the property. Internally, the reception opens to a flexible dining area that can be isolated by a sliding door. All the services of the guest area are hidden behind the entry in the opposite side.
The Corridor:
The transition between the front and the back of the house is through a corridor that opens to the courtyard and takes the same curved language established in the entry.
The Living Area:
After passing the corridor, the space opens up in the living area facing the courtyard. The area consists of an open kitchen with a casual dining table facing the family sitting area. All the services (kitchen, storage, and maid’s room) are concealed behind a frameless door.
Living Area Visual Connection:
The family area is visually connected to the balcony in the master suite in the first floor and the outdoor sitting area. A glimpse of the stair is visible, while the family bathroom and washing basin are hidden behind a solid wall in the left of the image.
