Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s largest man-made island, is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of Dubai. In response to the unique site and context, we proposed a new typology of a villa which maximizes its relationship to the surrounding landscape and enhances the feeling of privacy. Palm Jumeirah Villa is designed to create a strong connection to its environment through its strategic use of maximizing views, creating privacy, and forming 3-Dimensional courtyards.

This new villa typology is about experiencing a unique lifestyle between indoor and outdoor spaces which are connected seamlessly through courtyards that bring in natural light and healthier air quality. To relate the villa to its context and reinterpret vernacular climate system into a contemporary ambiance, native plants and shrubs are used to create a micro-climate environment.

To develop this unique strategy, we began by shifting spatial volumes to form shaded exterior terraces, then subtracting voids to form courtyards, and finally raising a floor to create unobstructed sea views. This floating volume acts as a magic carpet where the user can enjoy the wonderful views of the sea and at the same time feel the comfort of a private atmosphere. Raising the volumetric space also allows a natural sea breeze to move continuously between all volumes to cool the air around them. Another unique feature, is an incredible entry experience of a lush garden with embedded steps that grow from the ground to the first-floor terrace providing the user with extraordinary views. On the ground floor, people can enjoy a flowing indoor/outdoor movement and breathtaking views while relaxing in the pool or enjoying other activity spaces like the stepped barbecue terrace.