AB House

For Ahmed Bukhash, founder of Dubai-based architecture practice Archidentity (@archidentity), the AB-House is more than just his family residence but something far more collective and forward-thinking. Since its inception, the villa, which is located in Dubai’s Barsha South neighbourhood, has been conceptualised as a prototype for contemporary Emirati residences; ones that could be rooted in the country’s heritage, cultural identity and religious practices, while remaining timeless in their approach.

While attempting to search for a regional modernist legacy to build upon, Bukhash began seeking inspiration in the heritage buildings of Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historic District, which are typically comprised of a wind tower and a courtyard with minimal openings to the outside and almost no visible external embellishments – all contributing to prioritising the privacy of the inhabitants. “If you look at these traditional villas, none of them stand out from the outside because a lot of the opulence and decoration is on the inside,” Bukhash points out.

Words by @aidannovaa