In the heart of Emirates Hills, Dubai, stands Solar House, seamlessly fusing lavishness and a sustainable approach to modern living. This architectural masterpiece, a collaboration between XBD Collective and a forward-thinking family of five, is not only a home but a beacon of green luxury, powered by solar energy. Forbes acknowledged its exceptional features, including a two-story pool, suspended glass bridge, and a USD 95 million price tag.

Harmony of Design and Sustainability

Covering an expansive 37,550 sq ft, Solar House is a retreat designed to meet the family's vision of green luxury. As you step inside, the warm embrace of modern elegance welcomes you. With ten bedrooms, outdoor pools cascading across two floors, and an 11.6m-long glass bridge overlooking a serene orchard, the design invites harmony and comfort, providing a glimpse into the luxurious yet sustainable lifestyle.

XBD Collective's Commitment to Solar Energy

At the core of Solar House's design philosophy is a commitment to sustainability. The house relies on solar energy harnessed through advanced photovoltaics, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint. Collaborating with specialised suppliers, XBD integrated photovoltaics into external cladding systems and installed additional panels on the spacious flat roof, demonstrating a dedication to harnessing the sun's power.

Mashrabiya Elegance in the Desert Sun

The external design of Solar House boasts a charming Mashrabiya-style frontage, an architectural lattice motif common in Arab regions. This intricate feature serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose, mitigating the intense heat and sunlight typical of the Middle East. It allows abundant natural light, subtle shadows, and improved ventilation throughout the residence.

Frameless Aesthetics and Panoramic Views

Solar House features a sleek sliding door glazing system, utilizing a 22mm thick overlapping mullion to maximise panoramic views. The frames discreetly integrate into the floor and external walls, emphasizing the frameless aesthetic. The choice of glass, a low E, triple-coated option from Guardian in Germany, offers exceptional performance in Dubai's hot climate, with over 60% glass area.

Luxury Interiors with a Sustainable Touch

Inside, Solar House combines natural allure with lavish interiors. High-quality materials, including classic Spanish black marquina and Italian white statuario marble, contribute to a sense of homely luxury and extravagance. White wood marble adds a modern twist, creating a unique juxtaposition of modern and classic stone selection.

Artistic Illumination and Timeless Luxury

The interior design emphasises hosting and entertaining, with carefully curated spaces designed to welcome and inspire guests. Lighting plays a pivotal role, with Lasvit wall lights and Reflex lighting creating a captivating dance of light and crystal. Every corner bathes in a soft, inviting glow, turning Solar House into a sanctuary of comfort and refined elegance.

Basement Bar: Where Art Meets Luxury

The basement, often overlooked, transforms into a haven of relaxation and socialising. Custom-made sculptures by Matteo Pugliese and uniquely shaped lights by Terzani add an artistic expression to the space. Arched-framed bar shelves, botanical prints, and high-quality furnishings ensure the basement bar is a stylish retreat for family and friends.

As Solar House stands as a testament to the synergy between luxury and sustainability, XBD Collective continues to redefine the landscape of architectural excellence. This project not only showcases the firm's commitment to cutting-edge design but also its dedication to creating homes that harmonize with the environment while offering unparalleled luxury.

Thank you to our incredible team, dedicated client, and partners for making this vision a sustainable reality with building-integrated photovoltaic cladding and wastewater management.

Solar House is an ultra-luxury mansion in Dubai which stands as a testament to WalkThru's commitment to bringing together ingenuity, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. Designed by XBD Collective, and built by WalkThru, this award-winning residence represents a paradigm shift in sustainable living.

At the heart of Solar House's sustainability credentials is its dynamic solar Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facade, which harnesses solar power to offset the home’s energy needs through the installation of over 200 sizes of energy generating BIPV panels. The project also uses a system that captures 10-15% of moisture to convert into usable water. A greywater system supplies recycled water for irrigation. These strategies implemented by WalkThru reduces the electricity and water bills to almost zero. 

Solar House pushes the boundaries of what is possible in residential construction. It features the longest glass bridge in a residential project measuring 11.5 meters, Dubai's first two-story swimming pool with a 10-meter cantilever box supported by high-strength concrete V-shaped columns. Collaboration with specialized glass suppliers ensured the bridge's transparency without discoloration, adding both architectural and structural innovation to the project.

Rigorous quality control measures, efficient project management techniques, and innovative construction methods by WalkThru ensured the minimization of material wastage and reduced environmental impact. Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) initiatives were paramount during construction, with comprehensive safety protocols, rigorous personnel training, well-defined emergency response procedures, and proactive environmental protection measures in place.

In compliance with Dubai Green Building regulations and specifications, Solar House has earned recognition from Dubai Municipality as the largest completely solar-powered building in the area, emerging as a beacon for eco-conscious homes.

Ramasamy Subramanian, Project Advisor and Client Representative of Solar House said “The realization of this cutting-edge luxury design that incorporated best practices in sustainability and healthy living was a remarkable process, one which Walkthru was instrumental in. Their commitment to quality and efficiency was a major player in this project’s success.”