Located in Dabouq along Mohammad al-Batayni St., the house occupies an area within a cultural district; containing king Hussein’s park, children’s museum and a range of schools within a residential urban fabric. A large green terrain lies on the southern side of the residence giving the impression of a country-like life. This location is considered an important zone with high criteria where people of high ranks take residence in.
The client, being an important native figure, has reached an age where he needs a house that accommodates this new phase of life. Being able to gather his family and live closer to nature is now his top priorities. The client; is part of a large Jordanian tribe, and holding social meetings are obligations he must fulfill according to Jordanian ethics and values. The request was for a house that serves as a hospitable gathering place for guests and people of the society. A spacious and open house while also secluded providing privacy, comfort and security within the residence.
Viewing the house from the main street, one notices the varied protrusions coming out of the stone masses that form the north-east façade of the residence. Small recessed openings allow both light and air to enter the private alignment of rooms along this edge. The reason behind this enclosed architectural approach is providing privacy and security due to its direct positioning towards the main street. The villa is open towards the south-west side allowing for a spacious area for hosting large gatherings and social events. The private spaces are separated from public ones, a concept that reflects the social values and norms of the Jordanian culture the client highly emphasizes on. The final result is a dense architectural composition towards the street at the highest point of the plot, while sparse and transparent distribution of spaces towards the sloping garden that allow uninterrupted views towards the rolling hills of Dabouq.
Entering through the foyer, one comes across a covered courtyard which forms the heart of the house. Masked with local stone and planted with three long trees, this courtyard reminiscent of the historic Jordanian culture and heritage infuses feelings of warmth, modesty, respect and most of all hospitality. The court’s arched openings, lead to the “suwan”, a spacious place which is usually held in traditional Jordanian homes for men of high social status, used for large gatherings, a place to welcome visitors and guests, the suwan’s grand and refine characteristics are not only conveyed by the rich use of materials nor by its high ceiling, but also by the massive glazed façade, revealing the beautiful green land that reflect rather rich and soothing environment, forming as all-guest area.
Passing through the separating corridor adjacent to the suwan, one can either reach a specially reserved bedroom with a bathroom for guests, or the south-east wing of the house, which is a cluster of private and intimate space preserved for the family’s use. This wing contains the family’s living room, a stair case and a master bedroom overlooking the east façade’s view of the spacious garden and the panorama of Jordan’s hilly terrain in the distance.
Moving across the other side of the house where the opposing service wing takes place, a semi public space contains a dining area connected with the suwan, however, separated by a partition against a breakfast area and a kitchen. This spatial organization of public, semi public and private areas creates the best solution to achieve the requested openness and privacy combined.
Sustainable is also a matter to be addressed, established by the use of local materials and by the house’s orientation along the north east protecting it from the sun’s heat at summer and providing warmth in winter. The passive green design of the residence creates an eco friendly environment through its large adjacent gardens and courtyard. The courtyard located at the core of the house, leaves room for exchange of air and light from and to its surrounding. The residence forms a living tribute to Jordan’s culture, through its formal language and elaborated social values and norms within its programmatic strategy. The architecture conveys a traditional symbol while provides a contemporary impression that works in harmony with the surrounding co-existing buildings within Dabouq’s urban context.