Croquis Engineering Consultancy has long been an expert in residential design and supervision, we have completed private villas and residential complexes across the UAE, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. A vital element to our success is the ability to tune into local culture and reflect it in the architecture of our projects, meeting the unique demands of our clients while also producing high-quality results. One of the first steps to any residential project is understanding what makes the client different, and once we can determine the client’s personality and their individual requirements, the design plans come into form. At the same time, there are several keys to successfully designing private homes for discerning clientele in the UAE that are relevant to all projects, and here, we provide more insight into what they are.

No project is successful unless it sufficiently responds to its specific site. Analysing the site’s environmental conditions (sun positions throughout the day, wind patterns, views, etc), as well as its surrounding context will ensure that the design is well-informed and appropriate for its location in a functional manner. Every site is different, just as every client is. Responding to the specific advantages (and disadvantages) of a site will ensure that your project is contextually-driven and enroute to being a timeless, hospitable and welcoming space. This is particularly important in locations that have extreme temperatures such as the UAE throughout the year. With summers reaching 50 degrees Celsius, understanding your site and how to benefit from its special set of conditions will help create a home that is comfortable to live in and sustainable in the long run.

Incorporating a regional-specific programme means that as the architects, it is our job to find ways to integrate cultural spaces and architectural languages that draw from the region’s customs and values. Spaces such as the majlis, prayer room or courtyard are often necessary for private residential projects in the UAE: they offer multiple advantages to local clients, such as the space to engage in spiritual, social and private family activities. Some of these spaces also assist in managing the climate of the home. The courtyard, for example, is a long-beloved feature of homes all over the Middle East, and this is for multiple reasons including offering an outdoor space for family gathering that stays cool. Another connecting theme in many of Croquis’ projects is the use of narrow corridors. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Arab city, which features narrow pathways that help generate air ventilation and shading, our residential designs always feature elements of regional architectural design language in a contemporary way, which are relevant and strengthen the sustainability of the home.

Prioritising the privacy of the client is something that needs to be incorporated throughout all aspects of a home’s design in the UAE. Being greatly valued in the region, the privacy of the user has one of the biggest impacts on a project’s design, and it can be created via external walls, courtyards and vegetation. We also give clients the option of direct or indirect entry to the home, which can greatly distinguish the arrival space. 

The material palette of any project is one of the most noticeable features of any project, and thus, many things can be expressed through the types of materials that are used for a building’s construction. Opting for local materials, like stone, ensures that a project’s sense of familiarity and belonging.