House of Shades & Shadows

Category: Residence
Area: 30000 sqft.
Location: Abu Dhabi

Overview:
Building a home that suits every generation is a dream for many. Yet, with the evolving nature of modern technology and changing aesthetic standards, designing such a home becomes a true challenge. At EXS Design, we understand the importance of creating spaces that all generations can enjoy—a home that connects loved ones while still offering privacy and personal space.

For this project, the client envisioned a transformation that blended traditional foundations with modern minimalism, creating a home designed for generations to come. At the same time, it needed to be family-friendly—allowing children to enjoy the home while parents could easily keep an eye on them.

The site, located on a corner plot in Abu Dhabi, required careful planning. We placed access away from the hustle of the main road, while also addressing the challenge of future expansion. To resolve the lack of correlation between old and new structures, we developed a grid system, rotated diagonally to maximize plot utility.

As the design evolved, the grid began to feel restrictive, so we overlaid another layer—unlocking the perfect proportion for outdoor open spaces. Throughout, we prioritized visual connectivity between parents and children: a balcony from the master bedroom overlooked the kids’ balcony below, while another balcony opened onto the shaded C-shaped courtyard.

Sustainability, a core philosophy at EXS Design, guided key decisions. The pool and entrance features were positioned to encourage natural cooling breezes, while a large jaali (net) element filtered light and airflow.

The result was a house envisioned as “a canvas for living.” Large identity elements were highlighted while visual clutter was minimized, creating a home that is not static but designed to grow with the people living in it.

Design:

Planning:
The design philosophy centers on creating a “canvas for living”- a flexible architecture that can evolve with the owner’s changing lifestyle. The house blurs boundaries between indoors, outdoors, and semi-covered areas, emphasizing natural connections and light play. Shadow and shading are key tools- fins and openings choreograph sunlight to animate interiors with changing patterns and moods. Strategic placement of shaded volumes and perforated systems enhances daylight control and cross-ventilation throughout the property. A layout that continually engages with nature ensures that circulation and living spaces maintain visual and spatial fluidity. The architecture adapts over time, with internal arrangements that support evolving use and lifestyle shifts.

Brand image:
Identity creation for a villa is conceptualised such that it is suitable for the lifestyle, usage and climate of the region. Large feature elements are proposed instead of small detailing to give a sense of grandeur with sophistication to the home. Visual connectivity is key and results in interesting spaces, creating a ‘heart for the house’

Sustainability
The design prioritizes passive strategies such as optimal orientation, perforated screens, and layered shading to reduce solar heat gain, enhance thermal comfort, and minimize energy consumption. A detailed shadow study guided the façade articulation and spatial organization, ensuring controlled daylight and cross-ventilation. Visual connectivity between built, semi-covered, and open areas strengthens the home’s relationship with its natural context.
Importantly, the spatial settings are composed to highlight key architectural elements while allowing others to recede, eliminating visual clutter and offering a calm canvas for personal growth. This approach encourages long-term adaptability- allowing the home to grow and evolve with the people who inhabit it.