Case Study: HB PRIVATE MANSION
Client: H.B. – Echelle Architects
Location: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Area: 8 000 m²
Scope: Landscape Architecture & Urban Design

Project Overview 

Perched atop one of Makkah’s highest vantage points, this private mansion commands sweeping views of the Holy Mosque of Al-Haram and the valley beyond. Schaduf was engaged to craft a landscape that amplifies the site’s natural topography and sacred context, while ensuring each outdoor terrace and garden aligns with the owner’s social customs and lifestyle requirements.

Challenges 

• Steep, Multi-Level Topography: Designing lush green spaces across varied elevations without disrupting sightlines to Al-Haram.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Creating private, functional outdoor rooms that respect local social norms and privacy needs.
• Water Conservation: Integrating irrigation-efficient planting and systems suited to the arid environment.
• Seamless Visual Connection: Blurring boundaries between built elements (pool, terraces) and the panoramic valley vista.

Solutions 

• Tiered Landscape Strategy
  • Developed a series of terraces that step gracefully down the slope, each planted with native, drought-tolerant species to enhance greenery without excessive irrigation.
• Infinity Edge Pool & Grading Integration
  • Positioned the infinity pool at the upper terrace so its vanishing edge aligns with the distant valley, creating a borderless visual link between water, garden, and horizon.
• Culturally Informed Layout
  • Configured secluded seating courts and pathway networks that afford family privacy yet permit discreet views toward Al-Haram. Planting screens and pergolas echo traditional motifs.
• Sustainable Irrigation Design
  • Installed a drip irrigation system calibrated to micro-zone requirements, paired with rainwater-harvesting storage to minimize potable water use.

Outcomes 

• Enhanced Scenic Impact: The stepped gardens and pool edge frame uninterrupted vistas of the holy city and valley, fulfilling the owner’s desire for a living landscape that feels boundless.
• Respectful Privacy & Functionality: Outdoor rooms balance seclusion with openness, supporting family life and cultural practices.
• Resource Efficiency: Native plantings and precision irrigation reduce water consumption by over 50% compared to conventional systems.
• Integrated Aesthetic: The seamless relationship between terraces, vegetation, and panorama creates a cohesive sanctuary that honors both site and social context.

Conclusion 

By listening closely to the site’s unique topography, cultural imperatives, and environmental constraints, Schaduf delivered a landscape that is at once expansive and intimate. The infinity pool’s vanishing edge, tiered planting, and water-wise systems together form a private retreat that nourishes the spirit, respects tradition, and embodies sustainable luxury overlooking the heart of Makkah.