A Villa for One A Villa for One is a retreat nestled in Wadi Shees, Sharjah, that explores the idea of containment within nature—a spatial journey that moves from nature, through nature, and ultimately into nature. The design brings us closer to the landscape, both physically and metaphorically. At its core, the project centers on a modest solid mass, encased by a more fragile material palette, and pressed into the land by heavy retaining walls. Above this, a larger volume appears to rest, almost suspended. The sense of containment deepens as the villa carves downward into the terrain—the further you descend, the more enclosed the experience becomes. This layered spatiality is shaped through manipulation of the landscape and ceiling heights. The full weight and presence of the architecture, however, only reveals itself upon entry—inviting a shift in perception from the outside in.