Design concept · Majlis & Gulf residences
The Two-Majlis Residence
A Gulf family residence planned around two majlis — one for receiving guests at the front, one for family life at the heart of the house.
The concept brief
Design narrative
A concept for a 900 m² family residence in Abu Dhabi, with separate men's and family majlis.
Many Gulf households receive in two ways: a men's majlis that welcomes visitors, often daily, and a family majlis where women, children and close relatives gather. This concept makes that distinction the organising idea of the plan. The men's majlis sits at the front of the plot as its own pavilion, with a direct entrance from the forecourt, a guest washroom and a service link to the kitchen, so guests never enter the house itself.
The family majlis lies deeper in the plan, opening onto a shaded garden and pool court and connected to the kitchen, dining room and stair. Between the two, a planted courtyard and a thick limestone wall provide both a visual and an acoustic buffer, so a gathering in one majlis does not disturb the other and each can be used at any hour.
The two rooms share a material language — limestone, walnut and bronze — but differ in mood. The men's majlis is formal, symmetrical and high-ceilinged, with perimeter seating and a coffee station; the family majlis is lower, softer and more relaxed, with loose furniture, rugs and wide doors to the garden. Deep overhangs and timber screens shade both from the coastal sun.
- Nature
- Studio concept study — not a client project
- Typology
- Majlis & Gulf residences
- Setting
- UAE
Design concept · Visualisation
Concept visualisations
Studio reference visualisation — dedicated render in production 
Studio reference visualisation — dedicated render in production 
Studio reference visualisation — dedicated render in production
Materials
Material palette
- Pale limestoneFacades, the dividing wall and floors
- WalnutMajlis panelling and doors
- Brushed bronzeWindow frames, lights and the coffee station
- Sand renderGarden walls and soffits
- Oiled teakShading screens and pergolas
Key design moves
- 01Two majlis, two entrancesThe men's majlis has its own entrance from the forecourt; the family majlis opens to the garden.
- 02A courtyard betweenA planted courtyard and a thick stone wall keep the two rooms independent.
- 03One language, two moodsShared materials, with formal proportions for guests and a softer scale for family.
- 04Shade for the coastDeep overhangs and timber screens temper the sun and the humid air.
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