< Previous90 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 FEATURE The Way of Life Blurring the boundaries between architecture and interior design, a multifaceted home designed by ANARCHITECT is a modern exemplar of subtle luxury inspired by nature Words by AYESHA S. SHEHMIR Photography by IEVA SAUDARGAITE Flooded with natural daylight, a contemporary villa in Dubai Hills is home to a young family who has relocated from Europe. Designed by multi award-winning fi rm ANARCHITECT, the multifaceted space merges the interiors with the exterior of the property in seamless fashion. “For me, architecture is a way of life,” admits Jonathan Ashmore, principal architect and founder of ANARCHITECT. Hailing from Sheffi eld in the UK, Jonathan was well aware of his calling as an architect from an early age. “I remember consciously focusing my studies and interests from a very young age in anticipation of becoming an architect,” he shares. In 2009, following many successful years of professional practice in London working for a series of award-winning progressive design-focused architecture fi rms, he relocated to Dubai. After four years of local experience, Jonathan founded ANARCHITECT, an architecture, interior architecture and design practice based in Dubai and London which, unsurprisingly, has won many awards since conception. “Over the years, I have carved my own niche and passion for architecture of place and interiors that can be loosely categorised as contextual modernism,” says Jonathan. “I also draw from a personal interest in the mid-century brutalist and monolithic movements where design is raw, honest and utilitarian ensuring that architecture has a relevance and purpose without overt decoration, yet it’s pure in form, material and understated detail.” The Dubai Hills villa project was specifi cally designed to accommodate individual interests such as fashion and art. “The private villa’s sprawling fl oor plate needed to be rationalised into a bespoke home which responds to the family’s needs,” says Militza Ashmore, wife of Jonathan and head of creative development and communications at ANARCHITECT. Large walls throughout the ground fl oor are crafted from natural stone, resulting in clean surfaces to hang artwork and fashion artefacts. “Equally, the walls and surfaces are works of art HBI_050_90-93_features_Aanrchitect_11671989.indd 9027/09/2021 03:25:00 PM91 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 Pictured here is Jonathan Ashmore, principal architect and founder of ANARCHITECT and his wife Militza Ashmore, head of creative development and communications. Photo by Misha Obradovic HBI_050_90-93_features_Aanrchitect_11671989.indd 9130/09/2021 02:02:54 PM92 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 FEATURE The xxxxx xxxxxx themselves, lit by carefully controlled natural and artifi cial light and often viewed from both interior and exterior spaces throughout the residence,” adds Jonathan. By applying modernist principles coupled with the use of natural materials, the home has formed a non- opulent yet powerfully subtle, refi ned and materially rich character. “The property is not visually over-communicated, but rather strikes with its proportions and volumes,” says Militza. “The interior spaces are unmistakably designed by an architect. The use of beautifully satin-fi nished natural solid stone inherently cools the ambience and softly refl ects incidental light around the spaces to create a calm and serene spatial condition for the home.” The intricately detailed, sweeping staircase – a striking architectural piece of art on its own – combines the solidity and weight of natural stone, natural walnut timber and glass with stainless-steel inserts. The lower ground features two sunken exterior courtyards that are an extension of the main garden, drawing an abundance of natural sunlight into the inside areas. Also on site is a private gym, a couple’s massage suite, steam and sauna cabins and a private salon. Clockwise from top left: Refinement of a dense and solid mass inspired by the vernacular response of the region to the extreme climate conditions; A serene open-air courtyard where natural solid stone softly reflects incidental light around the space; Handcrafted, millennial fossil oak wood (Abanos Oak) is featured in the kitchen made by Boffi, curated for the direction of the horizontal veins of the natural stone and the vertical grains of the natural wood to achieve dynamic flow “We predominantly work with natural materials or advanced sustainable materials derived from nature or nature’s techniques,” explains Jonathan. “The elemental relationship we have to materiality is primordial.” Noting inspiration from the utilitarian characteristics of modernism, the entertainment space in the home has been designed to overlook beautiful views of the pool terraces with the entry hidden behind two four-metre high, walnut pocket doors. “This allows the clients to completely hide the doors to reveal the space as a continuous fl ow of the rest of the house, or to close the space off for privacy from the rest of the family space,” says Jonathan. One of the hurdles of the project was working within a predefi ned developer shell which was modernised by connecting various fl oors of the property for the most natural fl ow. “Our architects re-planned and designed a residence in which the family could grow, manage their busy lives and express individual passions for fashion, art, motorsports and upscale social gatherings,” shares Militza. “So throughout the design process, we constantly visualised how different members of the family would use each and every space within their new home.” anarchitect.com HBI_050_90-93_features_Aanrchitect_11671989.indd 9227/09/2021 03:25:12 PM93 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Summer 2021 xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx IMAGES COURTESY OF THE ARTS CLUB The transition from the honed natural stone of the staircase, between the lower ground and entrance level, to a beautiful walnut timber, is intentional to announce the movement from semi-public areas of the home to the private quarters and guest areas HBI_050_90-93_features_Aanrchitect_11671989.indd 9327/09/2021 03:25:26 PMAn interior view of a room in The Arts Club Dubai designed by Dimorestudio 94 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 FEATURE The HBI_050_94-95_FEATURES_Arts Club_11671703.indd 9427/09/2021 03:27:27 PMThe fi rst international outpost of the private members’ club originally founded in London in 1863, The Arts Club Dubai is a gorgeous new space designed for only a select few. The main objective of the Club, as Jai Waney, chairman of The Arts Club Dubai outlines, was “To create somewhere that members want to return to. It’s that simple.” The new space drew inspiration from the London haven, however opting for a more stylised twist and taking a leap of faith, the team chose to go with a vibrant design direction with just the right mix of infl uences from Dubai, Italy and London. What makes The Arts Club intriguing is its diversity in design, adopting more than one aesthetic and marrying design values to form a space that is always stimulating and visually interesting. “Dubai is so forward-thinking, ever-evolving and modern, so we really had to dial up the design here, while keeping it sophisticated and timeless,” says Jai, explaining the need for a dynamic design scheme that can adapt, evolve and change as the city does. “Most importantly, the design has to work in the day and in the night. It has to seamlessly transition, time and time again.” Comfort, variety and sophistication are a few words used to describe the eclectic space, but above all else, the Club is one which emulates and embodies excellence in quality. Milan-based Dimorestudio was responsible for birthing the Club’s vision of a space that is both modern and bold. The architecture and design studio had a challenge of designing a traditional aesthetic for The Arts Club Dubai that lives within a modern building or exterior shell; a juxtaposition which had to be handled with precision and imagination. “We realised that in order to refl ect and work with a more traditional aesthetic, we would need to install a central staircase,” says Jai. “The staircase, a nod to the traditional ‘townhouse’ underpins the entire Club and acts as the spine.” Dimorestudio cites Art Déco as the main source of inspiration for the Club’s design. “The Club is a journey through times and 95 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 The fi rst international outpost of the 1863 London location, The Arts Club Dubai is a sanctuary of diverse design, spectacular art and a roster of members who understand the power of exclusivity, writes Nour Hassan CHARM VINTAGE HBI_050_94-95_FEATURES_Arts Club_11671703.indd 9527/09/2021 03:28:32 PMstyles,” say Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, founders of Dimorestudio. “This is something that characterises all of our projects. Our goal is always to create an experience in a non-linear narrative to create an emotional connection.” The designer duo used elements of Mediterranean furnishing such as carpets and wallpapers to inject character and depth into each fl oor. “We were given a very distinct design brief by the Club’s owners,” they share. “And that was to create a different vibe for each fl oor, a different identity.” The creative process behind the colour palette was based on several references, drawing on the interiors of the past with a contemporary twist. “We wanted to create a luxurious, timeless and contemporary environment with rich colours, vibrant and saturated hues.” The exclusive Club evokes a plethora of moods as members transition from fl oor to fl oor, room to room. There’s an old-world intimate charm and an Art Deco grandeur, which also differs depending on the time of day. “It’s magical to see it transform in the evening just after the sun goes down, but it works so well during the day too when it’s easy and comfortable and not too fussy,” notes Jai. “A lot of other private Clubs struggle with this; being overly layered for the evening or vice versa. It’s so important as the Club is for members who want to spend several hours of the day and multiple days of the week there, so the balance needed to be perfect.” theartsclub.ae The Brasserie features colourful décor and lush velvet fabric chairs with gold-detail lighting. A work by Amoako Boafo hangs on the wall 96 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 FEATURE The The vibrant interiors of The Arts Club Dubai include upholstered couches, gold accents and luminous lighting lending a regal appeal to the space HBI_050_94-95_FEATURES_Arts Club_11671703.indd 9627/09/2021 03:27:40 PM97 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 IMAGES COURTESY OF THE ARTS CLUB DUBAI An interior view of a room in The Arts Club Dubai designed by Dimorestudio HBI_050_94-95_FEATURES_Arts Club_11671703.indd 9727/09/2021 03:27:47 PMThe dining area overlooks the beautiful skyline of Dubai, featuring a 22-seater table by Antica Ebanisteria and chairs by Minotti; A bespoke chandelier called ‘Le Nuage in Dubai’ designed and installed by celebrated art designer, Wout Wessemius; Furniture from Walter Knoll and an automatic and ventless fi replace by Planika COMPILED BY MARYANNE HAGGAS. PRICE APPROXIMATE 98 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 LIFE Your HBI_050_98-105_AFL_Neha_11678009.indd 9827/09/2021 03:33:07 PMUP IN THE UP IN THE CloudsClouds Overlooking mesmerising sky vistas, the award- winning penthouse residence of author and columnist Neha Hiranandani is a nod to the late Belgian surrealist René Magritte, writes Odelia Mathews 99 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Autumn 2021 HBI_050_98-105_AFL_Neha_11678009.indd 9927/09/2021 03:33:20 PMNext >