AccentDG designs a horizontal family villa in the chouf mountains of lebanon

lebanese architecture firm AccentDG was commissioned to design a single-family villa in the chouf mountains of lebanon, with the aim of reflecting the rich landscape surrounding it. the villa is located in the small village of brih, which witnessed destruction and desolation during the lebanese civil war. the concept evolved as a composition of two volumes, separate yet connected through the main entrance and lobby: on the frontal side, the villa serves as a public function, whereas the rear-end family area is contained in a two-storey structure.

the vehicular approach to the project meandering through olive groves

the resulting u-shape configuration encloses an outdoor space with a pool, almost like a private piazza, open to the landscape. ‘the entrance to the villa,’ explains head architect at AccentDG, ‘is through a meandering road at the bottom of the hill, passing through the terraced olive groves, which follow the natural topography of the landscape.’ the building accentuates this horizontal composition as a terminal point, combining natural stone with a contrasting white stucco in its finishing. 

the pool area overlooking the central courtyard and project

the villa embeds itself discretely within the site through this sensitive arrangement of elements, deriving its minimalistic aesthetic from the typology of traditional forms, rendered in modern forms. it reinterprets the traditional typology by opening up to the landscape, while recreating a sequence of passages and patios reminiscent of traditional architecture. the house avoids contemporary fascination with ‘glamorous’ forms, or the reactionary imposition of ‘monumental’ mansions, focusing instead on the integration in the landscape, the context, and its history.

the pool area overlooking the formal living room

the pool lying on the edge of the terrace, opening up to the mountain view

a mix of two different materials used to articulate the two storey family zone

the kitchen and two storey family zone enclosing the central courtyard

on the rear façade, the circulation protrudes to connect the two levels of the family zone

the private family living area opening up to the courtyard

the infinite connection of the project with the landscape

the volume with the public functions cantilevering over the heavy terraces that complete the landscape

the open corner condition in the formal living area overlooking the pool and landscape

a double height volume opens to the courtyard and hosts the family living area with a bridge connecting the bedrooms on the upper level

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edited by: lynn chaya | designboom