LOFT FOR A TRANSNATIONAL COUPLE

SAUDI ARABIA

The project was to design a loft for a couple that spends six months in their Philadelphia residence and six months in their home country. We were to choose a country with cultural elements unfamiliar to us. My country of choice was Saudi Arabia.

The design concept was to design a space that feels clean and modern with a focus on high end finishes to portray a feeling of staying at a luxury hotel’s penthouse suite. Because the color pallet was neutral, interesting architectural details and materials were included while still maintaining a minimalistic feeling.

Most Saudi Arabian residents are Muslim and live under specific rules to follow suit with their religion. These rules formed some design challenges. For example, Muslim people do not wear shoes inside their home so heated porcelain tile flooring would be placed throughout the loft. Muslims are called to prayer five times a day toward the direction of Mecca, their holy city. The foot of their bed and the toilet should not be facing the direction of Mecca.

In stricter parts of Saudi Arabia, their culture does not allow mixing of non-familial sexes. Therefore, they have separate living rooms for men and women in their homes. The men’s living room is placed toward the front of the home by the entry to ensure that strangers do not walk through their home and invade their privacy. Muslim’s also wash their hands before almost every task, so it is important to have a powder room or sink available for guests near the formal living room.