MMA Projects, a renowned international architecture and interior design studio, operates in various fields of design, including luxury residential projects. In their project portfolio, Villa ABK stands out: an enchanting private residence, a sculptural villa where the interplay of double-height volumes and reflections of light from skylights define the internal architectural spaces in a dance of light and shadow, solid and void.
Designed by MMA Projects, this private residence is located in the prestigious Pearl Jumeirah Island, near one of Dubai's trendiest locations, the Nikki Beach Hotel & Resort. This 4,000-square-meter villa extends over the water, offering unparalleled sea views. The modern and contemporary residential structure highlights its uniqueness and elegance through its architectural forms.
Concept and Design
The concept aims to maximize the openness of internal spaces, creating a horizontal and vertical continuum emphasized by the main partitions. These internal divisions not only define the floor plan but also accentuate the residential volume's strong verticality. This results in open living spaces where functions flow seamlessly, allowing light and nature to become integral parts. Villa ABK is a tailor-made residence, like a bespoke suit tailored to the client's needs. The project imparts uniqueness and identity to the environment, with volumes and chiaroscuro themes blending seamlessly.
Layout and Distribution
From a compositional perspective, the ample plot allowed for the strategic placement of the representative villa and outdoor spaces, directly overlooking the sea. Additionally, there's a recreational area that includes a sports area with a paddle court and lounge zones for relaxation. The villa is spread across four levels.
The ground floor houses the heart of the house, a vast open space overlooking the sea where all representative activities take place. This formal area includes a majilis, a place of hospitality and Arab conviviality. Large windows characterize the space, not only ensuring ample natural light but also providing complete access to the outdoor area with direct access to the sea. The ground floor also features a second living area, a dining area, and a dramatic double-height kitchen with a 10-meter-long island made entirely of "Fior di Bosco" marble, intersected by a Canaletto Walnut wood slab for the buffet table.
Contrasting this visual landscape is a sinuous chandelier made of leather belts and LEDs, filling the upper field of view with its lightness and aerodynamics. Marble "chevron" patterns, typically used for parquet flooring, serve as the base for the imposing parallelepiped, creating a geometric interplay. The choice of material shades, including marble, wood, and brushed brass, creates an enveloping chromatic harmony. There's also a dedicated formal workspace for the family, providing a tranquil corner for concentration.
On this floor, you'll find two elegant guest suites with private bathrooms. Large windows characterize this level, ensuring ample natural light and complete access to the greenery, pool area, and sea.
Materials, Finishes, and Colors
Externally, the villa is clad in white Turkish stone called Limra, treated with various finishes, creating surface contrast between the lower and upper parts of the building. The lower section features geometric bas-relief motifs, while the upper surface has a more delicate finish, resembling a woven pattern.
Inside, the residence deliberately showcases various stone texture treatments. These range from bamboo-like curvatures to fabric-like embroideries, and even plissé-like textures, creating ever-changing surface aesthetics. This material versatility allows the same stone to display different color shades and reflections, a skillful play of light and shadow.
The luxurious residence greets its guests with an elegant and voluminous Arabescato Orobico wall, a decorative stone that immediately imparts a lively and precious aesthetic. The 9-meter-high entrance Synua door by OIKOS is made with bronze finishes and an external engineered wood covering.
For the interior cladding, three predominant materials are used: grey Fior di Bosco marble and Verde Antigua marble, chosen for their unique colors and veining, contrasted with Canaletto Walnut wood for the wainscoting. The perfect combination of these two stones can be seen in the decorative wall behind the staircase, entirely made of bronzed brass-clad steps.
The glass parapet allows visual continuity between the formal area and the upper floor while remaining light and transparent to light, enhancing the volumetric play. A play of materials coexisting in a spectacular interplay of light and shadow, due to the vertical blades extending across the entire height. Another iconic element of the villa is the sinuous Fior di Bosco marble staircase, a sculptural stone element, enhanced by handcrafted modeling. The outdoor area of the residence is characterized by Basalto Grigio stone, combined with large matte white ceramic slabs. White dominates the external architecture, while the interior blends subtle and light shades of grey and green, contrasted with warm wood tones.
Lighting
Double-height spaces and large windows ensure natural brightness throughout the environment, complemented by the presence of dramatic chandeliers, such as a significant mother-of-pearl chandelier in the main living area and other crystal chandeliers in secondary living spaces. The show-kitchen area is illuminated by a leather "belt" chandelier with LED crystal lamps that define the space. The natural light entering through the windows guarantees captivating plays of light and shadow in the main hall, with luminous effects reflecting on the staircase wall, emphasizing the stone "blade" motif found throughout the home. The villa also features a comprehensive home automation system, allowing for the management of all areas in their various functions.
Architectural Structure
The rational interplay of volumes and textures becomes the source of inspiration for the external facades, defining their forms and structure. The thin, lightweight slabs that compose them incorporate decorative bas-reliefs that, when exposed to sunlight, create unique and evocative light effects.
