A House by an Architect, for Her Family / maisam architects

Project overview

Completed in 2001, this house is located in Amman, Jordan, and was designed by maisam architects as a personal residence for the lead architect and her family. The project occupies 1,100 square meters on a 7,000-square-meter site of rolling oak-covered hills west of the city, photographed by Osman Hakouz.

Life turning point and intent

The house was conceived at a pivotal moment in the architect’s professional and personal life, marking a phase of introspection and spiritual reassessment. The design responds to this inner journey, turning the dwelling into a spatial narrative about self-reflection, faith, and renewal.

Site, setting, and atmosphere

Set within serene terrain of gentle slopes and oak trees, the residence opens toward expansive views and distant horizons. Its placement west of Amman allows the architecture to engage both with the natural topography and with wider regional vistas, reinforcing a sense of calm retreat.

Concept and spatial progression

The architectural concept is described as simple yet refined, formed through layered contrasts and a nuanced sequence of spaces. The house choreographs a progression between indoors and outdoors and between public and private domains, guiding residents and visitors through a carefully calibrated spatial journey.

Journey of life narrative

The composition is intuitive and free-spirited, symbolizing birth, fleeting existence, and the life beyond. This narrative is translated into a spatial sequence beginning with an entrance podium that gradually leads toward more intimate zones of contemplation.

Entrance podium and key views

The spatial sequence begins with an elevated entrance podium that commands panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This platform is described as a “gift” of uninterrupted scenery for guests and friends, establishing an immediate connection between arrival and nature.

Olive tree and Jerusalem view

At the culmination of this sequence stands an olive tree, described as a “tree of life,” accompanied by a view toward Jerusalem in the distance. Together they anchor the project’s symbolic core, merging spiritual meaning with the physical landscape.

Contemporary form and local identity

Although contemporary in overall composition, the house is firmly rooted in local identity and cultural references. It adopts the idea of a village-like ensemble, forming a series of clustered spaces around the central “journey of life.”

Village-inspired clustering

The layout evokes a small settlement, where multiple volumes and outdoor pockets create a sense of neighborhood at the scale of a single home. This clustering reinforces community within the family while preserving privacy and introspective corners.

Main corridor and internal organization

A 30-meter-long corridor is the primary spatial and planning spine of the house, extending along its length. This corridor gathers dining, living, and other everyday spaces, tying them into a continuous, legible sequence.

Surfaces, roofs, and walls

The design reinterprets surface, ground, and ceiling by freeing planes to perform multiple roles. Roofs become usable places of dwelling, and walls define open spaces in a way that maintains privacy while recalling modernist openness.

Materiality and integration with landscape

The scheme carefully integrates the house with the surrounding terrain and vegetation. Local stone cladding pairs with plastered surfaces to create a form that appears light and almost weightless, yet retains a quiet, stable presence.

Context-minded approach

Through its material palette and massing, the house respects the contours and character of the site rather than dominating them. The result is a residence that feels anchored to place while projecting a subtle, contemporary character.

Paradigm shift in Jordanian housing

The project is described as a paradigm shift in contemporary house design in Jordan. It challenges prevailing norms by rethinking spatial organization, using technology thoughtfully, and orchestrating natural light as a key design element.

Light, technology, and innovation

Natural light is treated as a central design tool that shapes interiors and the perception of movement. Technological solutions are woven into the architecture to support comfort and performance without overshadowing the project’s spiritual and experiential goals.

Spaces for contemplation

The house is composed of multiple zones that offer varying degrees of openness and intimacy, creating a spectrum from public to private spaces. These include shared gathering areas as well as more secluded corners designed for reflection and quiet retreat.

Public to private gradient

The project includes an entrance podium, semi-public living areas, and a secluded family quarter on the upper level. This gradient allows daily life to unfold across different atmospheres, from social interaction to personal introspection.

Family quarter and vernacular inspiration

The upper-level family quarter draws inspiration from the attics of village houses in northern Jordan, where the architect has her roots. This reference reinterprets traditional elevated family spaces into a modern context, maintaining a sense of memory and belonging.

Domestic intimacy

In this zone, the architecture emphasizes closeness, warmth, and a quieter scale of living. Intimate proportions and more secluded views encourage family interaction and a feeling of refuge.

Personal faith and architectural expression

The house is presented as a personal interpretation of faith translated into built form. Architecture becomes a means to materialize spiritual ideas about existence, passage, and inner transformation.

Dwelling as life journey

The “dwelling,” characterized by a minimalist design approach, symbolizes a person’s brief journey through life. It also serves as a setting for spiritual healing, self-critique, and ongoing personal evaluation.

Author’s brief summary

Through a measured interplay of landscape, light, and symbolic sequence, this family house turns everyday living into a contemplative path that unites local tradition, personal faith, and contemporary design.

ArchDaily — 2025-11-25