Perched on a west-facing waterfront between the Ivoire Golf Club and the Ebrié Lagoon, Ebrié Villa is a study in restraint, where architecture and landscape exist in quiet harmony. Designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm SAOTA with interiors by Claude Missir Interiors, the residence embraces its tropical setting through a series of pavilions, courtyards, and carefully framed views of Abidjan’s skyline.
At the center of the outdoor experience is a striking perimeter-overflow pool that functions as both a water feature and an architectural element. Designed with a mirror-like surface that sits flush with the surrounding granite terraces, the pool reflects the home’s sculptural rooflines and softens the transition between built form and landscape.
Stepping stones appear to float across a shallow water feature, creating a ceremonial approach to the residence and reinforcing the villa’s sense of calm. The water’s reflective quality amplifies the surrounding greenery and expansive sky, turning the pool into a dynamic canvas that changes throughout the day.
The pool’s minimalist design perfectly complements the home’s material palette of raw off-shutter concrete, flamed granite, and warm timber. Rather than competing with the architecture, the water feature extends it, echoing the villa’s clean lines and emphasizing the seamless relationship between indoors and out.
That connection to nature was central to the design. SAOTA conceived the home as a series of interwoven interior spaces and courtyards that blur traditional boundaries. Large overhangs provide shade from the tropical sun, while skylights and expansive openings invite natural light deep into the residence. Carefully positioned gardens and planted pockets create privacy without sacrificing openness, giving the home the feeling of a pavilion set within a park.
“The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them,” says interior designer Claude Missir. “Great design isn’t about trends; it’s about personality.”
The villa’s dramatic roof structure further reinforces that sense of individuality. The expressive, fluid concrete form required close collaboration with local engineers to achieve its seamless appearance, becoming both a defining architectural gesture and a nod to Abidjan’s modernist heritage.
Serving as a private sanctuary between city and nature, Ebrié Villa demonstrates how water can elevate architecture beyond aesthetics alone. Here, the perimeter-overflow pool does more than provide a place to swim. It anchors the entire composition, reflecting the home’s sculptural forms and creating a sense of serenity that lingers long after the sun has set.
Architecture: SAOTA
Interior Design: Claude Missir Interiors
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
For more information, visit saota.com and claudemissir.com.
