By Marie Claire Maison Arabia
Merging Beirut’s vibrancy with Milan’s precision, Dori Hitti Architects crafts a residence that bridges eras, balancing nostalgic warmth with sleek, contemporary clarity.
In a residence envisioned by Dori Hitti Architects in the Lebanese town of Rabieh, vintage elegance and modern minimalism are not opposing forces but companions in dialogue. With studios in both Beirut and Milan, the practice draws on two distinct cultural rhythms to compose a home that feels timeless yet alive, serene yet spirited.
“The residence embodies Beirut’s vibrancy and Milan’s understated sophistication,” says Dori Hitti, founder and lead designer of the eponymous studio. “From Beirut, we drew the energy, boldness, and warmth of its cultural fabric; from Milan, the sense of discipline, precision, and refined minimalism. The home becomes a dialogue between two worlds: expressive yet composed, rich in personality yet elegantly restrained.”
That dialogue begins with space itself. Light pours into clean-lined interiors where openness is celebrated but never left barren. Minimalist restraint governs the architecture, yet richness reveals itself in textures, materials, and the quiet layering of detail. “Minimalism is not about emptiness, it’s about clarity,” Hitti reflects. “Warmth comes from texture, proportion, and light. Subtle details like soft lighting coves, tactile materials, and curated accessories create intimacy without clutter.”
Furniture selections become notes in a larger symphony, weaving past and present together. A low velvet sofa speaks of mid-century elegance, its curves softened against sculptural wooden chairs. A classic round dining table anchors the space, its presence counterbalanced by the lightness of wire-framed chairs.
“The key lies in dialogue rather than contrast,” Hitti explains. “We pair clean-lined, minimal pieces with furniture that carries curves, textures, or patina. By working with a restrained palette and thoughtful proportions, we allow vintage and modern to converse seamlessly, creating harmony instead of tension.”
Art adds a bold counterpoint, injecting flashes of vitality into the restrained atmosphere. Playful, Pop Art-inspired works, vibrant compositions, and large abstract canvases act as punctuation marks across serene backdrops. “Art is never decorative for us, it’s integral,” he emphasises. “The bold, colourful pieces inject vitality into otherwise calm settings, turning walls into statements and anchoring the emotional character of the interiors.” Here, art is not an afterthought but the very heartbeat of the home.
The rhythm continues through the spatial flow. Open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas form an uninterrupted sweep designed for sociability, yet subtle zoning maintains a sense of intimacy. “We use fluid spatial planning, zoning through furniture arrangements, lighting, and subtle shifts in material,” Hitti says. “The living, dining, and kitchen areas flow together for conviviality, yet more intimate corners are carved out to offer moments of retreat within the openness.”
Material choices further this sense of duality – nostalgia and modernity intertwined. Smooth marble is set against velvet, warm wood against sleek metal, leather against crisp finishes. “We curate tactile contrasts,” Hitti explains. “Nostalgic textures like velvet and leather bring a sense of history, while crisp finishes ground them in the now. The pairing is always about balance: softness with sharpness, heritage with innovation.”
The dialogue extends beyond walls, where outdoor terraces echo the language of the interiors. Glass panes, cohesive tones, and Mediterranean greenery dissolve the boundary between inside and out. “We wanted the outdoor terraces to feel like natural continuations of the living spaces,” Hitti notes.
At its core, the residence is not a showcase of design trends but of timeless principles. “A timeless home avoids trends and embraces proportion, balance, and authenticity,” Hitti says. “By layering history with modernity and allowing personality to shine through, we create homes that evolve gracefully with time.”
This project is a testament to that philosophy: a home where restraint meets richness, where Beirut’s boldness finds harmony with Milan’s refinement, and where architecture, furniture, and art converge into a lifestyle that is at once sophisticated and deeply human.
