By Marie Claire Maison Arabia | Photography By Rami Mansour
In the world of architecture, the balance between form, function, and emotional resonance is a constant pursuit. For Samir Hakim, Founder at SHA, Samir Hakim Architects, the design of a recent villa in Dubai exemplifies this harmony, combining natural materials, custom elements, and spatial fluidity into a home that speaks to both its clients’ desires and the architect’s vision.
The villa is a study in contrasts, where the interplay of wood, travertino marble, and glass creates a dynamic and ever-evolving atmosphere. “Our design is centered on creating a dialogue between natural elements,” Hakim explains. “The travertine introduces organic texture and earthiness, while the wood elements bring warmth and a sense of groundedness to the space. We used glass as a transparent medium that preserves spatial flow while maintaining functional separation.” The transparent nature of the glass allows natural light to flood the villa, enhancing the textures of the travertine and the warmth of the wood, creating a space that feels both connected and alive. Hakim’s design philosophy is clear: “This interplay evolves throughout the day as shifting light accentuates the natural variations in texture, making the space feel dynamic and alive”.
Our design is centered on creating a dialogue between natural elements.
Art also plays a pivotal role in this villa, transcending its role as mere decoration to become a central narrative element. “Rather than treating art as an afterthought, we designed the space around it, considering the scale, subject matter, and emotional resonance of each piece”. And adds: “Custom lighting and precise wall positioning ensured that the collection remained an integral part of the architectural narrative.”
The master bedrooms, serene and minimalist in design, further emphasize the emotional connection between the space and its inhabitants. “We recognize that bedrooms are deeply personal sanctuaries, perhaps the most private spaces in any home” Hakim notes. The standout feature is the hand-painted trittico wall behind the bed, a motif chosen with great care: “As the last visual before sleep and the first upon waking, the trittico motif had to evoke a precise mood”. The architect adds that the minimalist approach to the rest of the bedroom was “intentional, creating a calm canvas that allows the trittico to serve as a focal point in the bedroom.”
Throughout the villa, Hakim employs the technique of layering materials, especially in the use of paneling, to enhance the spatial experience. The panels create a visual language that connects various rooms, fostering a sense of continuity as one moves through the home. “These panels create a visual language that connects different spaces, establishing a sense of continuity and flow as one moves through the home,” he explains. This strategy not only brings aesthetic cohesion but also adds depth to the walls, with the interplay of light and shadow bringing them to life. The fluted wood paneling, placed to conceal doorways, further enhances the home’s dynamic design.
Rather than imposing rigid, linear transitions between spaces, these curves introduce fluidity, soften thresholds, and intuitively guide movement, enhancing both circulation and spatial cohesion.
Arches, another recurring motif in the villa, serve to soften transitions and guide movement, creating an intuitive flow through the spaces. The incorporation of arches in the villa evolved into “a defining architectural language that profoundly shapes the experience of the space,” Hakim reflects. The arches, particularly in the entrance and children’s bedrooms, bring fluidity to the villa, turning structural challenges into opportunities for aesthetic expression. “From this initial solution, curved elements became a recurring motif throughout the villa. Rather than imposing rigid, linear transitions between spaces, these curves introduce fluidity, soften thresholds, and intuitively guide movement, enhancing both circulation and spatial cohesion”.
When asked about his personal connection to the villa, Hakim reflects on two key spaces that stand out in his design process: the bar and the entrance. “While every space in this villa bears my personal imprint, two areas hold particular significance for me as a designer. The bar we designed represents a special element—both functional and visually appealing—that serves as a focal point connecting the dining and living areas.” However, it is the entrance transformation that holds the most meaning. “The column became the anchor for our signature triple-arch sequence, the staircase was reimagined as a sculptural element, and the expanded space was transformed into a proper threshold experience.”
For Hakim, these transformations are “a testament to the power of design—turning constraints into defining elements that shape both function and experience.”
