PreciPiece is a residential project for the planned Wadi Hanifah settlement, 67 miles southwest of Ar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project tackles the harsh desert climate of the area by providing self-shading structures that take advantage of the relatively milder conditions of the northern cliff face of the valley. The interlocking towers consist of units stacked at right angles up to the level of the cliff top. The concrete panels that form the towers’ envelope protect against solar radiation and provide privacy for the residents. The elevation builds upon traditional Arab shading screens with a contemporary aesthetic both inside and outside. The units are accessed from the parking lot through walkways that allow spectacular views into the valley and down through cores that provide vertical circulation.
The project was developed using parametric tools, with the placement of each grouping of towers responsive to both terrain and environmental conditions. Likewise, the facade panels are parametrically adjusted to prevailing solar exposure conditions and privacy requirements.
Status: School Project
Location: Wadi Hanifah, Saudi Arabia
