| THE AWARD |
| CATEGORIES |
| REGISTRATION |
| SUBMIT YOUR WORK |
| ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
| TERMS & CONDITIONS |
| PUBLICATIONS |
| DATES & FEES |
| METHODOLOGY |
| CONTACT |
| WINNERS |
| PRESS ROOM |
| GET INVOLVED |
| DESIGN PRIZE |
| DESIGN STORE |
| THE AWARD | JURY | CATEGORIES | REGISTRATION | PRESS | WINNERS | PUBLICATIONS | ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
Alhammadi Haus Private Residence by Drew Gilbert |
Home > Winners > Design #158985 >Interview |
 |
|
FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
DG: The design is guided by the principle of harmonizing architecture with its environment, achieving a balance between functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic refinement. The idea was to create spaces that feel timeless and purposeful, where every element contributes to a sense of clarity and connection. Inspired by the local context, the design reinterprets traditional principles of light, shade, and privacy, transforming them into modern expressions that respond to the needs of today while respecting the heritage of the region.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
DG: The focus of this design was to create a harmonious relationship between architecture and the environment, where every element contributes to a sense of purpose and timelessness. The goal was to craft a residence that prioritizes functionality while fostering a deeper connection to its natural and cultural context. By blending clean, modern lines with the textures of natural materials, and by carefully orchestrating light, shadow, and spatial flow, the design seeks to elevate daily living while responding intelligently to its surroundings.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
DG: The future of this award-winning design lies in its ability to act as a catalyst for innovation and inspiration. It serves as a model for how architecture can balance sustainability, functionality, and beauty while respecting its context. My goal is to adapt and evolve the principles established in this project—efficiency, adaptability, and harmony with nature—for broader applications, encouraging a dialogue about what architecture can achieve in different environments and at varying scales.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
DG: This concept evolved over a period of six months, during which the design was shaped by an iterative process rooted in analysis and refinement. From the initial understanding of the site and its context to the careful selection of materials and environmental strategies, every step was taken with precision and purpose. The design reflects a commitment to detail, ensuring that each decision contributes meaningfully to the functionality, sustainability, and elegance of the final work.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
DG: This design was commissioned, yet it represents more than just a response to the client’s brief—it is a reflection of a shared vision. The concept was shaped by the desire to create a residence that harmonizes modernity, sustainability, and cultural context. While addressing the client’s aspirations for a functional and refined home, it also provided an opportunity to pursue my ongoing exploration of architecture as a dialogue between place, purpose, and innovation.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
DG: This design was created as a bespoke commission for a private client and is being realized exclusively for their use. It reflects a specific vision and purpose, tailored entirely to their lifestyle and aspirations. While there are no plans to sell or lease the design rights, the principles underlying the concept—its harmony of form, function, and sustainability—could inform future works, potentially inspiring broader applications in other contexts.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
DG: This work emerged from the ambition to craft a home that embodies the integration of elegance, sustainability, and purpose. It was inspired by the client’s vision for a residence that reflects their lifestyle while engaging thoughtfully with its environmental and cultural context. The design is an exploration of how contemporary architecture can reinterpret traditional values, resulting in a timeless, functional, and contextually responsive work.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
DG: The design draws inspiration from the timeless principles of vernacular architecture, particularly its ability to respond intelligently to climate through light, shade, and natural ventilation. While no individual designers were directly referenced, the work is informed by a legacy of regional traditions, reinterpreted through a modern lens. Contemporary ideas of minimalism, sustainability, and the seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces also played a significant role in shaping the concept.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
DG: The design is aimed at individuals or families who appreciate architecture that balances luxury, functionality, and environmental stewardship. It is intended for those who seek a bespoke living experience, where every element of the home reflects their personal values and aspirations, while fostering a meaningful connection to their environment and cultural heritage.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
DG: This design distinguishes itself through its ability to harmonize sustainability, luxury, and cultural sensitivity in a way that feels effortless and timeless. It reimagines traditional architectural principles—light, shade, ventilation, and privacy—within a modern framework, creating spaces that are both functional and elegant. Moreover, the bespoke nature of the project ensures it is entirely unique, tailored to the client’s vision while remaining deeply connected to its environment.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
DG: The name was thoughtfully chosen as a fusion of the client’s identity and the architectural narrative of the desert haus style. It represents a personal connection to the client while honoring the villa’s contextual roots in the desert environment. The name speaks to the individuality of the project, blending personal significance with a broader architectural dialogue.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
DG: Standard architecture tools
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
DG: The uniqueness of this design lies in its reinterpretation of the desert haus architectural vernacular through a modern, bespoke lens
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
DG: Engineers
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
DG: Technology is integral to the design, serving as both a tool for innovation and a means of enhancing the living experience. Smart systems manage lighting, climate, and security seamlessly, creating an intuitive and effortless environment. Parametric modeling played a pivotal role in optimizing structural and environmental performance, ensuring that elements such as shading and ventilation respond intelligently to the context. Crucially, technology is embedded subtly within the architecture, enhancing functionality and sustainability while preserving the design’s elegance and clarity.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
DG: The design is informed by data-driven research, including climate analysis, sustainable material selection, and parametric modeling to optimize shading, ventilation, and structural efficiency.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
DG: The challenges of this project lay in reconciling the demands of Dubai’s extreme climate with the pursuit of a design that is both modern and elegant. Creating a balance between environmental strategies—such as shading, natural ventilation, and thermal insulation—and the client’s vision for openness and refinement required a meticulous and iterative approach. Another layer of complexity came from integrating advanced technologies and performance-driven solutions while maintaining the clarity and simplicity of the architecture.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
DG: The decision to submit this design to an international competition was driven by its potential to contribute to a broader architectural discourse. It exemplifies a harmony between sustainability, functionality, and modern luxury, addressing challenges that are universally relevant. By entering a global arena, the design could inspire others, demonstrating how architecture can respond innovatively to environmental and contextual demands while achieving timeless elegance. Such competitions provide a platform to benchmark ideas against the best in the world, fostering dialogue and progression within the design community.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
DG: This project was an opportunity to further refine the integration of sustainability and luxury within a modern architectural framework. Working within the context of Dubai’s demanding climate deepened my appreciation for how data-driven tools, such as parametric modeling, can inform decisions about shading, ventilation, and structural performance. I also honed the ability to embed advanced technologies subtly into the design, ensuring they enhance functionality without detracting from the architecture’s clarity. Perhaps most significantly, this work reinforced the value of adaptability in balancing the aspirations of the client with the environmental and contextual demands of the project.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
DG: What remains to be emphasized is the emotional resonance of the design. Beyond its technical achievements, this villa was conceived as an experience—one that fosters tranquility, connection, and inspiration. The interplay of light, texture, and space was meticulously curated to elevate the everyday and celebrate the subtleties of living. Equally, the project underscores the value of collaboration: the alignment of the client’s aspirations with the expertise of an interdisciplinary team was fundamental to translating a vision into reality.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
| SOCIAL |
| + Add to Likes / Favorites | Send to My Email | Comment | View Press-Release |
