GM House is a modern sanctuary nestled within the lush avocado orchards of Zaita, South Lebanon. Designed to blend seamlessly with its agricultural setting, the residence features a palette of raw, natural materials—primarily local stone, exposed concrete, and warm timber. The plan is organized around a grand, transparent reception and dining area where full-height glass walls dissolve the boundary between the interior and the verdant landscape. Flanking this social core are four secluded master bedrooms, ensuring privacy. Deep, horizontal canopies and a waffle-grid pergola provide shade, allowing for year-round outdoor living immersed in nature.
GM House: A Modern Sanctuary Amidst the Avocado Orchards
Location: Zaita, South Lebanon Program: Private Residence (4 Master Bedrooms, Grand Reception, Dining) Key Features: Natural Materials, Floor-to-Ceiling Glazing, Agricultural Integration
The Context: Immersed in Greenery
Located in the lush agricultural landscape of Zaita, South Lebanon, the GM House is conceived as a habitable clearing within a dense grid of avocado trees. The project does not impose itself on the land; rather, it slots horizontally into the existing orchard. The architecture engages in a constant dialogue with the surrounding greenery, using the rows of avocado trees to provide natural privacy, wind protection, and a rich, verdant backdrop for daily life.
Architectural Form & Concept
The residence is defined by its strong connection to the ground. Viewed from above, the plan is organized as a series of interlocking volumes that respect the geometry of the surrounding plantation. The low-slung profile allows the house to nestle under the tree line, maintaining a humble presence in the landscape.
Deep, cantilevered concrete slabs and a signature waffle-grid pergola extend the living spaces outward. These horizontal planes provide essential shade, filtering the sunlight much like the canopy of the avocado trees themselves, creating a comfortable microclimate for outdoor living.
Materiality: Earthy and Raw
Reflecting the rich soil of Zaita, the material palette is strictly “Natural” and tactile:
Local Stone: Thick, dry-stacked stone walls emerge from the ground, anchoring the house and linking it visually to the rural heritage of South Lebanon.
Glass: The “Full Glass” façade of the reception area acts as an invisible membrane. It dematerializes the structural boundary, allowing the avocado orchard’s greenery to visually flood the interior.
Concrete: Exposed concrete elements provide a modern counterpoint to the organic textures of the stone and wood, offering structural clarity and durability.
Spatial Organization
The internal layout is designed for both grand entertaining and intimate retreat:
The Social Core: A massive, open-plan reception and dining hall serves as the heart of the home. Flanked by full-height glazing, this space feels like an open pavilion, maximizing natural light and views.
The Private Wing: The house includes four master bedrooms, positioned to ensure acoustic and visual privacy. These rooms are designed as quiet retreats, looking out onto curated pockets of the garden or the extending orchard rows.
The GM House is a celebration of the Zaita landscape—a modern home that breathes with the rhythm of the avocado fields surrounding it.
