Strata

Strata
Strata

The client approached Studio Toggle to design a holistic space comprising a private ceramic studio and social 'Diwaniya' inserted in a landscaped garden, along with accommodation for staff.
For this unique project, Studio Toggle took inspiration from traditional Arab vernacular architecture and adapted it into a modern context, respecting the client's desire to incorporate different levels of privacy and social spaces choreographed by the hierarchies of privacy.

The design references the traditional 'Lewan' and 'Hosh' elements of the region's historical architecture, with its long porticos and private yet open-to-sky rooms.
The porticos choreograph the movements within the complex while providing valuable shading and framing strategic focal points.

We proposed a rammed-earth construction with concrete framing for stability.
Rammed earth, with its excellent insulation properties due to its thermal mass, also generates an ethereal spatial ambience due to the hues derived from the colours of the desert
Fountains and water channels, inspired by Moorish Andalusian architecture, not only contribute to evaporative cooling but also create a serene, zen-like atmosphere in the spaces, ensuring a comfortable environment.