Bait Ahmed Al-Ali_Abu Dhabi
Bait Ahmed Al-Ali_Abu Dhabi
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Land area 1500 sqm, Total buit-up Area 1000 sqm
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1. Family Houses (x3 Units)
Each house is organized around a private courtyard and oriented toward the main central courtyard.
Ground Floor:
Family majlis
Living area
Open kitchen
Closed kitchen
Kids’ play area
Internal courtyard
First Floor:
2 bedrooms
Master bedroom
Private family living room
Office / reading space
2. Central Shared Space
Main large courtyard
Swimming pool
Semi-shaded outdoor living area
Collective gathering space for all families
3. Guest Zone (4th Section – مستقل)
Separate from family houses for privacy
Majlis
Dining room
Guest washrooms and toilets
2 guest bedrooms
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Clustered Living Around a Shared Courtyard
The project is conceived as a cluster of three independent family houses and a separate guest wing, all organized around a central courtyard. Each house functions as a self-sufficient unit, ensuring privacy and autonomy, while being internally oriented toward both private courtyards and the shared central space.
The main courtyard, with its pool and shaded outdoor living areas, acts as the social heart of the project—bringing the families together for daily life and gatherings. The guest zone remains distinct, maintaining cultural privacy while still being part of the overall composition.
The design balances separation and connection, creating a cohesive environment that supports multi-generational living within a unified architectural framework.
The courtyard is the primary protagonist of the house, from which the entire spatial organization evolves.
Courtyard houses have long defined residential architecture in Qatar. Building on this tradition, the 4Yard House is conceived as a composition of interconnected and interwoven courtyards, each varying in size, proportion, and function. These courtyards act as spatial anchors—organizing movement, regulating climate, and creating a sequence of layered indoor–outdoor experiences that shape the life of the house.
The villa is designed to accommodate three generations, providing each family member with a private, independent living zone. At the same time, shared spaces—such as courtyards and dining areas—bring the family together, creating a balance between privacy and collective life.
Extended Multi-Generational Living
Oriented to the inside
The 4Yard House emphasizes the importance of intimacy and the human-scale spaces inside, which are intricately connected to other courtyards that partially open to the sky and are adorned with small gardens featuring palm and olive trees.
INTERCONNECTED AND INTERWOVEN COURTYARDS
"HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM OF SPACES: From Communal and Togetherness to Intimacy and Serenity!"
Protected Courtyard Strategy
While courtyards offer strong environmental benefits, fully open-to-sky spaces are often unsuitable for today’s climate. A protective layer is introduced to shade the courtyard, reducing heat gain while allowing soft, filtered daylight to enter. This layer also enables night ventilation and promotes continuous airflow, creating a more comfortable and responsive microclimate.
