Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Architects: Atelier KOE
Location: Dakar, Senegal Senegal
Interior Décor: Atelier KOE
Project Year: 2014
Photographer: Atelier KOE
Website: www.atelierkoe.fr

- 27 January 2016
- Karanja Samuel
Residential , Sustainability , Contemporary African Directory , Conservation Architecture ,

From the Architects
The project Al Hamra resulted from a meeting between a young client in Dakar and Atelier KOE. The buzzing capital of Senegal led him to explore a remote area of the bush, where he eventually wanted to settle.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

The question was how to build and live in this seemingly hostile environment?

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Atelier KOE found the response to both the architectural aesthetic as well as energy autonomy. The spacious residence, built entirely with stabilized earth bricks, totals 400m2 divided into six suites, a large living area, kitchen and dining room. This house was built as a place of open hospitality, welcoming guests with an interior peristyle and quiet fountain. A 12 meter wind tower helps circulate fresh air throughout the building year round.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

More than a relaxing escape from the city, the site was also designed as a working farm, where livestock and agriculture thrive on the land. The entire property is planted with fruit trees, grains, peanut, vegetable and grain crops. This natural vista emerges through the large arched doors and windows of the villa with additional views of the stables and chicken coup.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Working around the idea of autonomy, Atelier KOE developed a multi-faceted project which offers different levels of privacy, tranquility or activity. Social, cultural and agriculture dynamics seamlessly interact, inside and outside the building.

The architecture, inspired by the site and its surrounding terrain, have brought the land to life. As both villa and farm, Al Hamra functions in its beauty and purpose.

- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 01
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 2
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe Main Image
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 6
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe Section
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 5
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 07
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 8
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 09
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 10

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

If you want your own avatar and keep track of your discussions with the community, sign up to archiDATUM >>

SELECTED WORKS

- Tree House / Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects
- 19 Nov 2017
Trees are precious in Africa. They provide shelter for the elders at meeting time, for school children in the midday heat, for all to shi...
- Award-winning Japanese Architect, Shigeru Ban, signs deal to design new homes for thousands of refugees in Kenya
- 23 Sep 2017
Renowned Japanese Architect, Shigeru Ban, winner of the 2014 Pritzker Prize, seen as the “Nobel Prize of Architecture,” has signed an agr...
- Morvest Headquarters / Anthrop Architects
- 04 Feb 2018
A campus to serve as the headquarters for the Morvest Business Group is situated adjacent to the Ben Schoeman highway. The client is a ra...

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DIRECTORY

- Bridge House / Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects
- 23 Aug 2017
The site consists of three separate but adjacent sites forming one entity, located in the heart of Higgovale, which lies upslope from the...
- American International School Johannesburg Aquatics Center / Flansburgh Architects
- 06 May 2017
The American International School of Johannesburg is an independent school in South Africa serving students grades PreK-12. The school’s ...
- Libyan European Hospital /Carlo Berarducci Architecture
- 10 Apr 2015
In a spectacular location on the beautiful Libyan coast not far from the ruins of the archaeological site of the roman city of Sabratha, ...