A Modern-Day Riviera

Competition

Urban Design - Residential

“Riviera,” an Italian word which means “coastline” often refers to a coastal region frequented as a resort area and usually marked by a mild climate. We start this project by looking at the characteristics that define some of the most celebrated and memorable rivieras around the world. Through an understanding of these characteristics, we can formulate a premise through which an architectural solution can emerge. The criteria that make some of these settings memorable to their visitors are often universal but are also driven by local idiosyncrasies that make them unique from each other. The massing strategy relies on breaking the scale of the residential block down into a series of “mini-blocks” creating a village reading. The residential block is read vertically (as opposed to horizontally). The articulation of these mini-blocks with a distinct reading of the base and the upper floors in addition to varying heights strengthens further this strategy. Lighter ephemeral elements that define spill out zones in front of shops on the ground level help clarify the way buildings meet the ground and provide a highlighted coastal character.

In collaboration with Pragma Architects Planners ©

SOUQ

QASR

The “Souq” defined as he rimary nternal R etail/F&B pedestrian s pine elineated by ows of residential buildings on each side. This spine occasionally p unctuated plazas and alleyway that o pen up o surface parking, nternal court yards and the Qasr. The architecture o th “Souq” romotes sense of d ensity a nd e nclo sure. Loggias, b alconies and, enestrations o verlooking this a rea attempt to chieve privac through c alibrated fenestration izes nd “mashrabiya” screens.

The “Palace” z one acts the threshold between the development and the Qasr. Unlike he ouk, buildings that ave retail b ase, he b uildings facing the Qasr re urrounded with ffer zone of h eavy v e getation and gardens which screen the ground level nd e ssentially reate a reen belt round the edge o the buildings. he an guage used n the architecture s a combinatio that m erges b etween he own (solid) and th coastal (open) surroundings w hile he c olor p alette sed borrows ques elated o the Q asr w it its green roof and other pastel colors from othe master plan character zones.

COURTYARD

Internal ourtyards gardens a re characterize d by strong domestic s e nse. They ntroduce a nd element of s urprise and playfulness within he development with heir m onochromatic ccen colors. Each ourtyard h as different palette which becomes a way o providing a location identity. Due to he mall cale o the courtyards and the closeness of he alconies o each ther screens and panels ave defined the courtyar d façade module. T he cale this m odule also gives domestic haracter o the courtyard that promotes p rivacy nd e nclosure. The gardens at the ground evel ct s the backyard o the hous e which also a dd o n the privacy character of he courtyard

RIVIERA

The “Riviera/Beach” the “destination” that lies the erminus of he S ouq spine and open up the waterfront. The beach acts s public promenade that osts ublic activities o al neighborhood residences. T he m ain parameter that defines this rea is he o penness. A ccordingly, he anguage u sed composed o lighters frames and more x pansive w indows. T he olor palette used reflects the sand and the sky. Also, the landscape nd he p ublic realm becomes less igid nd defined by slands o vegetation and alm trees drawn round the residentia clusters - n contrast o the rigid planters s prea around the Souq area.