DL
Is all architecture as important at
night as it is during the day?
JA
At ANARCHITECT we see the
architecture, interior architecture and interior
design holistically interconnected, to create
buildings and spaces sensitive to their loca-
tion and natural environment. We design
projects with a passive design approach with
spaces which are human-centric – placing
human experiences – whether these are
private residents or hospitality guests - at the
heart of the design concept. For that reason,
the buildings we create have to work from
dusk to dawn and throughout the night to
create desirable environments and provide
ease of use. Especially when designing in
extreme weather conditions of the Middle
East and Asia, at the start of the design pro-
cess we take into consideration the natural
light - movement of the Sun and the Moon
and exposure to extreme heat, heavy rain
and driving wind, to orientate the mass of
the building in line with the optimum living
conditions – a passive approach. This allows
us to harness natural sunlight during the day
and moonlight at night. After dusk, it’s im-
portant for us to subtly light the architecture
of the buildings and interior architecture of
the spaces with carefully considered artificial
lighting that creates a gradual transition
from day to night light conditions. Not only
does this aesthetically enhances the indoor
and outdoor spaces but also retains their
functionality throughout the night with a
balance of ambient and task lighting custom
design to suit each individual project.
DL
How do you approach landscape
design and the natural environment
as part of your architectural
concept?
JA
The natural environment and local
vernacular inform our architecture projects in
their entirety. At ANARCHITECT we foster
the vision of contextual modernism, creating
buildings and spaces which whilst globally
inspired, deliver ‘of place’ experiences and
truly belong to their location so landscape,
context and indoor and outdoor conditions are
intrinsic elements to many of our projects.
At the Al Faya Lodge Retreat & Spa, set in
the crimson landscape of the Sharjah desert
in the United Arab Emirates, natural environ-
ment informed the indigenous landscaping
we commissioned working closely with the
client and landscape architects. The natural
landscape also informed the use of stone,
hardwoods and Corten steel materials which
will age well in the extreme weather, with
the design of the lodge integrated with the
local vernacular. For another destination
hospitality project currently under con-
struction, our Harding Boutique Hotel
project is set within the dense coconut groves
of southern Sri Lanka, a region prone to
heavy monsoon seasons. The hotel’s design
not only refers to the local vernacular tropical
modernism movement, but it is also inspired
by the local climate, with the use of natural
woods and local timber. We are also transla-
ting the vernacular into the bespoke furniture
design within the hotel, with ANARCHI-
TECT-designed Coconut Collection.
DL
Do you work on a relationship
between the interior and the
exterior in your design? If yes,
what is your idea about this?
JA
The relationships between interior
and the exterior are at the core of con-
textual modernist architecture which we
champion. Buildings have to harmoniously
co-exist with the environment they are set
within, to provide optimum experiences
for their residents and visitors. Especially
in the Middle East and Asia, where the
majority of our work is located, there’s an
intrinsic link between the indoor and out-
door spaces as these are often interconnected
and lived between throughout the day and
night. For these projects, it’s essential that as
much thought is given to the interior and
exterior of our design, and especially to the
thresholds at which the two come together –
whether that’s a contemplative courtyard,
a balcony or a material distinction
between the spaces.
DL
How important is exterior
lighting as part of your
architectural concept?
JA
We consider natural and artificial
lighting right at the start of our design
process. For hospitality projects, exterior
lighting not only enhances the building’s
aesthetics after dark, but it also provides
way finding for guests and staff. When
designing hotels with outdoor elements
such as rooftop bars, outdoor pools and
fire pits – all very popular in the Middle
ARCHITECT, FOUNDER OF MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING PRACTICE
ANARCHITECT. BASED IN DUBAI, DELIVERING BESPOKE PROJECTS FOR
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OUTDOOR
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