Anarchitect reimagines 3000-square metre Dubai Hills family villa

Anarchitect has recently completed the reimagining of a 3000-square metre private family property in Dubai Hills. Overlooking the 18th hole of the golf course and offering panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline, it’s home to a young family who commissioned Anarchitect to modernise and modify the predefined developer shell in keeping with their requirements.

Jonathan Ashmore, Anarchitect’s founder and principal, explains: “We were appointed to design a residence in which the family could grow, manage their busy lives and express their individual passions for fashion, art, motorsports and upscale social gatherings. Throughout the design process, we constantly visualised how different members of the family would use each space within the new home. The property had to be comfortable and functional for all the family, while providing our discerning client with an aesthetically refined residence. The home also had to facilitate our clients’ every aspect of life.”

Militza and Jonathan Ashmore

The project took six months to design and 12 months to construct. Key to the redevelopment was the entrance and a new inner courtyard extension: four-and-a-half metres high, flooded with natural light through a glass skylight and featuring a six-metre-tall olive tree. “As you step into the main entrance your innate response is to look up, which connects you to the sky above. As you draw your eyes back down, you glimpse the newly created first-floor exterior family terrace; your focus is then readjusted towards the distant feature aquarium that frames the view through to the living room beyond,” says Ashmore.

The sense of tranquillity is reinforced by the use of satin-finished natural solid stone that cools the ambient temperatures and reflects incidental light around the spaces. Another key feature is the ‘floating’ staircase which spans three levels and embodies Anarchitect’s design approach to the property. Also at entrance level are his and hers private offices, a library and the main living areas, the bespoke kitchen and the family dining area. The lounge opens out to an outdoor family area which includes a swimming pool, sun terrace and gardens.

The formal entertainment and dining area is discreetly located behind two pocket-sliding walnut doors. As for decor, says Ashmore, “The furniture was a combination of existing pieces and new, chosen by the client with the procurement team, according to their personal taste, and working hand in hand with their existing art collection.”

The master suite, a ‘work and play’ room and four further guest-rooms make up the first-floor accommodation of the villa, together with the children’s bedrooms. “The children’s bedrooms have been playfully designed to create hide-and-seek moments and provide stimulation throughout the day,” says Ashmore. “Our key aim was to create a flexible canvas upon which the family can build and express themselves as they grow.”

All told, it’s an impressive contemporary residence and testament to the trust placed in Ashmore and his team – especially as the client was based in Europe during completion of the project.

Photography: Ieva Saudargait