Marissa Villas

The Challenge: Collective Ownership vs. High Density

The primary objective was to divide two urban blocks into 300 sq.m. lots that provide every occupant with direct street access and absolute privacy, without the need for additional connecting roads. We identified the "right problem": how to deliver high-density urban living while preserving the "inner sanctum" required by local tradition.

The Solution: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Mashrabiya

Our design centers on a modern interpretation of the mashrabiya, which acts as the connecting living space for all elements of the house.
Alignment of Light and Air: The mashrabiya provides shaded natural light and controlled natural ventilation.
The Beating Heart: Every villa is organized around an inner courtyard, a private sanctuary that connects the family living areas while ensuring no visual contact with neighbors.
Strategic Integration: We designed the volumes so the living room, pool, and garden act as one fully integrated recreational space, protected by a clever symbiosis of height and setback.

Agenda-Proof Sustainability

Marissa Villas is built to outlive the temporary. By combining typical regional construction techniques—such as reinforced concrete and stone cladding—with advanced expanded mesh for the mashrabiya and thermo-insulated glazing, we created a neutral, airy, and energy-efficient environment.

At Arrogant Architects, we don't just design buildings; we design decisions. Marissa Villas is a landmark of cultural alignment, proving that architecture can be simultaneously traditional and avant-garde.