There is a peculiar relationship between architecture and collecting when the objects themselves begin to determine the character of a space. In a private residence in Amman, completed in 2023, Tarek Dada approaches interior architecture as an exercise in composition, bringing furniture, artworks and materials into a carefully considered dialogue.
The project emerged from an unusually open collaboration with its owner, a friend of the designer who gave him considerable freedom to experiment. “It felt like a project and a blank canvas at the same time,” Dada recalls. That freedom encouraged an exploration of materials and bespoke furniture, allowing the interiors to develop beyond their initial aesthetic direction.
In the principal living room, a semicircular sofa in cerused oak, designed by Dada, responds to the proportions of the long, narrow space. Bespoke tables connect the seating arrangements, while an oxidised brass library with lacquered shelves introduces a more architectural treatment of storage. Vintage and commissioned pieces, including an armchair by Aldo Morbelli and a floor lamp by Orsina Sforza, contribute to an interior assembled through distinct artistic languages.
Art occupies a central position in this composition. Two paintings by Saloua Raouda Choucair, a pioneering figure of Arab abstraction, and her daughter Hala Choucair establish a dialogue across generations. Their presence is particularly significant within a residence where geometry, material and spatial relationships are treated as interconnected elements.
The dining area extends this exploration of form. A bespoke table combines an asymmetrical glass top with polished stainless-steel supports, its geometry designed to facilitate circulation. Above it hangs a lighting installation by Ingo Maurer, while chairs from Dilmos Edizioni’s Homage to El Lissitzky collection introduce another reference to the history of modern design. Nearby, a bar in polished stainless steel and Antolini Labyrinth marble reinforces Dada’s interest in sculptural functionality.
Metal becomes a recurring architectural element throughout the house. Brass surfaces extend along the staircase towards a more intimate lounge, while a wall lamp designed by Dada uses concealed lighting, reflective planes and contrasting materials to alter the perception of its surroundings. Light is not simply an atmospheric addition but an active component of the architectural composition.
“I got to design a lot of the furniture for this project, which always requires a certain amount of trust,” Dada explains. The commission also offered an opportunity to experiment with ideas connected to his developing furniture collection.
On the ground floor, warmer timber finishes introduce a different atmosphere around an open kitchen connected to the terrace and outdoor pool. The transition between levels is articulated through changes in material and light rather than a departure from the overall design language.
What distinguishes the residence is its refusal to separate architecture from the objects it contains. Artworks, furniture and architectural surfaces participate in the same composition, establishing a domestic environment shaped as much by artistic experimentation as by the practical requirements of living.
