Located on a lush hillside in Qabrikha, Lebanon, Fahes Residence is a contemporary holiday retreat that masterfully integrates with the rugged topography of Wadi Al-Hujair. The design features a three-level composition of stone, timber, and glass, prioritizing "liveability" and panoramic views. By blending modern geometric volumes with natural materials, the residence reinterprets the traditional mountain chalet into a light-filled sanctuary that harmonizes perfectly with its "otherworldly" southern landscape.
Fahes Residence: A Contemporary Dialogue with Wadi Al-Hujair
Location: Qabrikha, Marjeyoun District, Southern Lebanon
Category: Residential Architecture
Typology: Holiday House / Mountain Chalet
The Contextual Site
Nestled on a densely overgrown hillside in Southern Lebanon, the Fahes Residence is a masterclass in topographical integration. The site slopes sharply to the north, offering a commanding vista of the majestic Wadi Al-Hujair in Qabrikha. Rather than resisting the terrain, the architecture embraces it; the “otherworldly” landscape acted as the primary sculptor for the building’s multi-leveled form, ensuring that the structure feels like a natural extension of the Lebanese ridge.
Design Concept: Reimagining the Mountain Chalet
The project was born from the client’s vision of a modern holiday retreat—a contemporary interpretation of a mountain chalet. The design language moves away from rustic clichés, opting instead for a composition of pure geometric volumes. Horizontal stone planes are punctuated by vertical timber cladding, creating a rhythmic play between mass and void. The result is a residence that feels grounded yet lightweight, providing a serene sanctuary for escape.
Spatial Organization
The residence is articulated across three distinct levels to maximize privacy and views:
The Ground Level: Functioning as the social heart of the home, this floor hosts the lobby and formal reception area. An open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room transition seamlessly toward the landscape. Two strategically placed bedrooms on this level provide accessibility while maintaining a connection to the central living core.
The First Level: Reserved for ultimate seclusion, this floor is dedicated entirely to the Master Suite. It features a sprawling private terrace that overlooks the valley, blurring the boundary between the interior sanctuary and the vast horizon.
The Basement Level: Tucked into the slope of the hill, this level efficiently manages the “machine” of the house, containing car parking, storage, maid’s quarters, and technical services for the infinity pool.
Materiality and Light
The materiality of the Fahes Residence is a curated palette of natural textures. Travertine-style stone provides a sense of permanence and local relevance, while vertical wood panels add warmth and a tactile quality reminiscent of forest environments.
The design was fine-tuned to ensure that the interior remains light-filled and airy. Soft tones and natural materials are used throughout to accentuate the play of natural light. Every architectural decision was driven by the principles of liveability and homeliness, ensuring that despite its sharp modern lines, the house remains a warm, inviting refuge.
Landscape Integration
The exterior spaces are as carefully considered as the interiors. Dry-stack stone retaining walls reference traditional Lebanese agricultural terraces, while the inclusion of a minimalist waterfall and a sleek infinity pool provides a sensory connection to the elements. The greenery is not merely decorative but integrated into the building’s skin through perforated stone screens and cantilevered planters, allowing the “densely overgrown” nature of the site to reclaim parts of the built form.
