Header: Ieva Saudargaite
The Sisters’ House is a residential project tailored to the needs of three sisters who decided to come together and live in the same house after decades of living apart. The design by Dubai-based studio ANARCHITECT has reimagined later-life living by creating a volume where they can reside together yet maintain a required degree of independence.
The Sister’s House by ANARCHITECT
The Sisters’ House consists of connected, predominantly single-story plans that span across a plot on the hillside. The space is anchored by four perimeter courts and six suites (three principal and three guest), alongside a pool, gardens, firepits and balconies. The elevated two-story spine runs through the home, resulting in astounding views from the principal suites toward the cityscape and Kampala’s green canopy.
The home shaped by the passion of every sister
The intimate spatial arrangement exudes luxury as suites with dual-aspect orientation connect effortlessly to the outdoor area. The home axis (featuring the kitchen, living and dining area) represents the centre of activity for residents and guests. The indoor and outdoor family get-togethers are marked by traditional and experimental cooking made passionately by the younger sister. The eldest sister’s passion for art is reflected throughout the interior, where a curated collection of Ugandan-Asian cultural pieces forms a vibrant visual narrative.
Design with African influences
Both the architecture and interior design derive from African modernist precedents while taking into consideration Kampala’s subtropical climate, full of abundant rains and blazing sun. The space is shaped by clean horizontal lines, generous overhangs, understated vaulted ceilings, and a restrained monolithic materiality. The sunken sitting draws from the African tradition of family gatherings and storytelling, while the system of courts, gardens and verandas encourages both togetherness and solitude.
Collaboration with local companies
Completed in just 18 months, the project designed by ANARCHITECT in Dubai was engineered and completed by a Kampala-based collaborative team who embedded their expertise and local construction nuances into the design. With their deep understanding of Uganda’s climate, construction and way of life, the team incorporated the design into a true local context. Therefore, the Sisters’ House becomes a residence that is simultaneously deeply local and globally conversant, showcasing the growing architectural confidence of Kampala.
The Sisters’ House project is a meditation on old-age residential living on the African continent. By mixing privacy, hospitality and cultural expression, the ANARCHITECT design studio managed to create a cohesive visual expression fir for various generations.
Technical sheet
Architecture and Interiors by: ANARCHITECT
Images by: Ieva Saudargaite
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Total Area: 982 sqm
Consultants:
Local Architect of Record: Design Garage
Project Manager: Paul Kalisa
Brands: Studio971, Arclinea, LEMA, Molenti, De Padova, Flexform, Acerbis, Poltrana Frau, Novamobili, Talenti, Flos, Astro lighting, Viabizzuno.
