zorgho villa

Project Details

Client : Confidential
Location : Zorgho, Burkina Faso
Project Type : Architecture, Interior
Program : Residential, Agricultural
Site Area : 6.62 hectares
Status : Schematic Design

Set within a 6.62-hectare agricultural landscape in Zorgho, the 30,000-square-foot private villa is designed as a contemporary sanctuary interweaved with its natural surroundings. The main residence is surrounded by gardens and farmlands, where architecture and landscape are conceived as a single, integrated experience.  Reflecting the broader to regional efforts to combat climate change and desertification, the project balances private domestic life with active agricultural production.

Site is organized by an organic meandering loop that ties together the private villa, farm fields, the barn, and the workers’ residences into a cohesive spatial framework.  Arrival is carefully choreographed through a long, winding driveway, establishing a gradual and picturesque sequence. This procession allows the landscape to unfold slowly, reinforcing a sense of transition and anticipation before reaching the main residence.

Organized into two wings, the villa places active living and entertainment areas to the west and quieter, private quarters—including the office—to the east.  Throughout the home, main living spaces maintain a continuous visual dialogue with the gardens, courtyards, and open fields, turning circulation paths into experiential journeys rather than simple functional connectors.

White architectural concrete frames and oversized antique bronze panels define the primary private quarters, while light gray horizontal brick introduces texture and scale. Full-height sliding glass doors preserve uninterrupted views and extend interior spaces onto expansive terraces, reinforcing continuity between inside and outside. The projecting white frames extend outward to form expansive outdoor decks, while deep overhangs shape shaded pathways and gathering spaces throughout the residence. Paired with a light, reflective material palette, these elements mitigate heat and sunlight, maintaining thermal comfort without compromising long views across the landscape.

On the upper level, private pocket gardens are embedded within the building form, offering moments of retreat and pause. The green roof on lower buildings enhances views from above while contributing to thermal performance and reduced heat gain. Landscape and architecture functions as an active system – shaping microclimate, improving comfort, and reinforcing the relationship between architecture, agriculture, and daily life.