Zabda Residence

Located on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan, Zabda Residence sits on an elevated hillside overlooking the Dead Sea. What began as a modest weekend retreat gradually evolved into a permanent family residence through a series of interventions over time. Responding to the sloping terrain, the house developed organically along a circulation spine connecting the existing and new spaces while accommodating the owner’s growing art collection.

AccentDG’s intervention was conceived as a continuation of this evolution rather than as a separate architectural statement. The first phase introduced a multipurpose space that could operate independently while remaining connected to the main residence. The existing circulation spine was extended into the landscape, following the natural slope and becoming a walk-through gallery where architecture, art and landscape converge.

A sequence of four descending volumes follows the topography, each containing exhibition spaces positioned at different levels and opening toward courtyards and framed views of the surrounding landscape. Carefully placed incisions bring natural light into the galleries while protecting the artworks and reinforcing the monolithic character of the architecture.

The journey culminates in a flexible multipurpose hall designed to accommodate family gatherings, exhibitions, events and larger social occasions. The hall opens onto a sunken courtyard that establishes a new physical and visual connection with the existing family living spaces while maintaining views toward the landscape and the Dead Sea.

The relationship between old and new continues across the roofscape. An accessible terrace above the multipurpose hall aligns with the existing roof garden, extending the sequence of outdoor spaces across different levels. Courtyards, terraces and landscaped areas become integral parts of the architecture, allowing the residence to unfold naturally with the terrain.

The material palette draws directly from the character of the existing house. Local stone is reinterpreted through different dimensions and finishes, while rough stucco walls and concrete floors define the interiors. Rather than introducing a new architectural language, the intervention builds upon what was already present, allowing the residence to continue its gradual evolution in response to art, landscape and the sloping site.