Architecture: SAOTA | Interior Design: Claude Missir
Lagoon Villa is positioned along the edge of the Ébrié Lagoon in Abidjan. The architecture focuses first on the exterior experience and the relationship between built form, water, light, and climate.
Site Orientation and Lagoon Connection
The villa’s long, horizontal volumes are oriented to maximize exposure to the lagoon while maintaining privacy from the city. Large sliding glass facades open the house to the water, connecting terraces, gardens, and the pool into a continuous outdoor living environment. The pool runs parallel to the shoreline, extending the architecture outward and forming a direct visual link between the residence and the lagoon.
Climate Response and Roof Structure
Deep roof overhangs, shaded walkways, and broad openings manage sun and airflow in response to West Africa’s tropical climate. A permeable concrete beam roof with integrated skylights brings filtered daylight into interior spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting and softening transitions throughout the home.
Transitional Outdoor Spaces
Tiered courtyards and covered outdoor rooms act as functional climate buffers. These spaces allow the home to remain open to the outdoors while maintaining comfort. Circulation moves through shaded exterior areas rather than enclosed corridors, further reinforcing the home’s connection to its landscape.
Material Palette and Interiors
Inside, materials such as exposed concrete, flamed granite, and clear glazing provide continuity with the exterior and durability in a coastal environment. The interior palette draws from the surrounding site, encouraging a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Modernist Context
Lagoon Villa continues Abidjan’s modernist architectural tradition through simple forms, direct material use, and design decisions led by site and climate. The residence is defined by orientation, proportion, and the conditions of living beside the lagoon.
