Close

Carl Gerges’s Villa Nadia restoration showcases a dignified stance on Lebanese heritage

Villa Nadia combines arches, stone vaults and orange blossom trees

Villa Nada Carl Gerges

Lebanese architect Carl Gerges has revealed the design behind the restoration of Villa Nadia in Lebanon that is reminiscent of the country’s golden era.

Surviving decades of destruction, the property was in dilapidated condition with broken doors, barricaded windows, ruptured ceilings and wilted gardens. Gerges’ rehabilitation of the project retains some of these elements of Lebanon’s golden heritage  with the aim of preserving the natural aging effects and historical layers of the stately residence.

Villa Nadia Carl Gerges

Images courtesy of Carl Gerges Architects

The house’s main facade is tucked away behind bougainvillea and pine trees, boasting a red tiled roof and triple arched windows that unobtrusively perch themselves above this sheltering barricade.

Upon entry, one is greeted with an orchestra of scents from orange blossom, jasmine and citrus trees, as an ode to the plants commonly found in traditional Lebanese gardens.

Villa Nadia Carl Gerges

Filtered by the lush greenery from the exterior pergola, a subtle green tinted light makes its way through the windows, bathing the naturally-colored main hall. The timber profiles clad in cane matting can be seen on the 5m high ceiling and walls, adding an intricate grid and sober radiance of light.

Walking past the living space through a timeless passage of arches, the dining room displays warm opulence and ample sunlight shining through the main hall as well as the neighboring jardin d’hiver.

The walls are upholstered with a taupe green fabric reminiscent of the original papier peint and ornamented with gold leaf plated Orthodox Russian icons, fostering a spiritual serenity with the space.

Villa Nadia Carl Gerges

Facing the dining area, the sun and secluded botanical garden host an enchanting invitation into the jardin d’hiver through an eclectic selection of native and tropical plant species. Complemented with a harlequin patterned floor, this glass house sits privately as a celebration of the generous and lush greenery that nurtures the entire property.

The library, which was previously  the house staff quarter, takes on a slightly less embellished nature, allowing for a more rustic and organic atmosphere. Built with natural pine tree barks and branches, the ceiling further borrows from the adjacent earthly outdoors, while the terracotta floor and Moroccan Tuareg mat introduce more natural attributes. The only element that takes on a contemporary quality within this space is the white steel spiral staircase which leads to the top-floor guesthouse.

Designed with the nature of a modern tree house in mind, the guesthouse is offers a union of wood and bright greens. Nestled within high-rise pine trees, lush ivy and pleasant sunlight, the bedroom acts as a tranquil day’s retreat. The Pine trees, garden and sun rays charm their way through the living room’s glazed facades, taking a mindful rest on a deep green velvet couch.

In the vaulted basement, the one metre-thick walls completely isolate the space from sound and light, creating an ideal setting for an intimate earthy spa. Walled and floored with reflective tadelakt plastering, this elemental space emits feelings of being cocooned within an age-old shimmering cave.

Centrally throned under the cross vault like a delicate treasure, an emerald pool entrancingly steals attention, its glow reflected off  the smooth surfaces of the entire spa. Two solid Carrara marble slabs retire as massage benches behind this majestic pool while a  custom-made American walnut wood sauna,  steam room and shower seamlessly blend into niches within the space.

Gerges has also recently completed a Villa Chams in Baalbek, boasting a monumental structure that blends in with its surrounding nature.

The Latest

Trend Group supplies to the Red Sea’s most prestigious projects

Mohamad Chehab, the general manager of Trend Group Middle East talks about the group's involvement in the Red Sea Projects

A New Chapter in Surfaces

APE Grupo brings Spanish expertise to the Middle East with a flagship showroom designed for visionaries

The Art of Distinction

Influenced by Art Deco design, Supreme by TREDEX now features a striking Matt Bourbon finish

Read ‘The Luxury Issue’ – Note from the editor

Our cover features Gaggenau, a brand that embodies design for the truly discerning.

Sarita Handa and Kristina Zanic Consultants Unveil DEEBAJ

Sarita Handa and Kristina Zanic Consultants announce the launch of DEEBAJ, a special-edition textile collection that reinterprets the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia through the artistry of Indian craftsmanship.

Design Take: GABA

Inspired by the philosophy of GABA tea, fermented without air or light, Studio Meshary AlNassar translated this concept into an interior that is hidden, intimate, and layered with sensory detail.

Geared for Growth

ClayArk opens an expanded showroom showcasing their expansion into sanitary ware

Holiday Vibes at Home

California sunshine and French country charm meet in this 510-square metre house with a dream pool cabana and peaceful garden

Things to Covet

Nature-inspired meets future-ready for these sustainable pieces

A New Life

In the heart of Cairo, an old lecture hall at Ain Shams University turns into a theatre

Vedra

The Quiet Art of Project Management

In Dubai’s ever-evolving real estate landscape, this approach has earned Vedra a reputation for integrity and attention to detail

Dragonfly by ISTO, executed by Designsmith

Award-Winning Residences in Dubai: When Vision Meets Flawless Delivery

Designsmith is bringing two award-winning residences to life by ISTO