Client
Ryadah Al Bunyan Real Estate Development and Investment Company
Sky Villa Reimagined
Al Shubaily Sky Villas Ryada
Typology
Residential
Size
8 Towers I 22 Floors each
Services
Architectural Design Competition
Location
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Year
2024
Sky Villa Reimagined
As Saudi Arabia urbanizes, demand grows for high-density housing. Yet traditional living remains centered on the single-family villa—spacious, private, and oriented around courtyards. Aidea’s competition entry for a high-rise residential tower in Al Khobar reinterprets the villa into a vertical living experience. Rather than conventional apartment layouts, residences are grouped into stacked clusters—“sky villas”—that retain
the spatial quality and privacy of traditional homes while embracing the efficiency of high-rise development. The result is a landmark that reconciles heritage with innovation, offering a lifestyle both rooted and progressive. At the heart of the project is the transformation of villa living into an elevated typology. Each residence is conceived to reflect traditional values—privacy, inward-facing spaces, and distinct zones for family and guests—while engaging with views and natural light.
The 22-story tower arranges villa-like units with expansive terraces, landscaped balconies, and generous interiors that mirror the scale and sensibility of single-family homes. A shared amenities podium, designed as an extension of the home, includes landscaped communal areas, recreational facilities, and spaces for gatherings that promote a sense of community while honoring cultural norms.
From the tower, residents enjoy commanding views of the Arabian Gulf to the east and desert dunes to the west, reinforcing a connection between the home and its broader landscape. Inspired by traditional mashrabiya screens, the façade filters sunlight and reduces heat gain, while the tiered terraces recall the courtyard gardens of historic homes. The tower’s form balances modern expression with regional cues, offering a refined aesthetic that resonates with both local and expatriate residents.
Situated in Al Khobar—a city bridging Saudi Arabia and the international community—the development speaks to a lifestyle that is private, familial, and attuned to tradition, yet fully embedded in a globalized urban future. By redefining how vertical living aligns with cultural values, this project sets a benchmark for Saudi residential design. It proves that density and tradition need not be at odds but can instead form a new paradigm for urban life. As Al Khobar evolves, this development stands as a testament to the city’s embrace of globalization while preserving the proud heritage of Saudi Arabia.
