FAMILY BEACH HOUSE

Envisioned as a truly vernacular structure within its striking location, overlooking unobstructed elevated views of the red sea and a backdrop of the serene red-sea mountain ranges, this family beach house was designed to discretely blend into the land. Using locally sourced and reclaimed fossilized coral limestone, and a extensive array of high-performance and energy-efficient design strategies, this house stands on its hilltop acting as a living thing to protect its inhabitants, complimenting and respecting its historic location within the extremely hot and arid Egyptian Eastern desert. This 3-bedroom, 1-story family vacation home ensures every single room has an unobstructed 180 views of the Red Sea. Due to the plot’s narrow width, this was achieved by creating a crab-like plan layout, whereas every one of the 3 bedrooms and the main open-plan kitchen, dining and living room space all offer unobstructed views of the sea, overlooking the small plunge pool and built-in fire-pit seating area. HIGH-PERFORMANCE

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES/ The Wind Catcher and Solar Chimney work together to create a continuous f low of cool air into the house while expelling hot air, acting as the lungs of the house and utilizing a natural air-conditioning system. The second wall system, made of coral lime stone and locally sourced bamboo, provides shade and cooled air flow to the south-facing elevation, protecting it from excessive heat gain. Thick load-bearing earth walls made of coral lime-stone regulate the transfer of heat, retaining it during hot summer days and releasing it slowly at night. Protruding walls and cantilever roof slabs on the sea facing elevation provide additional shade and protection from direct sun exposure. The cooling body of water, located at the north east of the house, cools the air as it enters through the heavily glazed and open northern elevation. The strategic orientation of the house allows for unobstructed sea views on one side and protects the south-facing elevation with the second wall system.