Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay

  • Project: Tahan Villa
  • Architect: BLANKPAGE Architects
  • Location: Lebanon, Kfour
  • Year: 2022
  • Area: 865 m2
  • Photography: Ieva Saudargaité

Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects redefines the relationship between architecture and landscape in Kfour, Lebanon. This 9,310-square-foot contemporary residence commands breathtaking views of the Bay of Jounieh, with every design move crafted to frame and enhance this exceptional panorama.

Architecture Rooted in the Landscape

Blankpage Architects conceived the villa as a visual extension of its mountainous context. Drawing inspiration from the rugged Lebanese terrain, the home takes the form of a floating prismatic stone volume set atop a transparent base. The structure appears to rise organically from the slope, echoing the geological layers of the site and offering uninterrupted sightlines toward the sea.

A Dialogue Between Solidity and Lightness

The villa’s defining feature is a horizontal volume clad in sliding stone panels. These textured surfaces recall the rocky landscape while also acting as dynamic shading devices, filtering sunlight into the private areas. The mass rests on a transparent glass box formed by terraced platforms that adapt fluidly to the site’s topography.

This lower level transitions from a stepped pathway at street level into a reception area, merging landscape with architecture. The result is an interplay between weight and levity, opacity and transparency, anchored in contextual sensitivity.

A Modern Reinterpretation of Lebanese Vernacular

At the rooftop, a light steel pergola topped with terra-cotta louvers shelters a painting studio, surrounded by a spacious roof terrace. This element pays subtle homage to the region’s architectural vernacular, particularly the red-tiled roofs of traditional Lebanese homes.

The final form—a massive stone box over glass, capped by a red latticework roof—offers a bold reinterpretation of the Lebanese village house. While maintaining essential cultural elements, the design radically opens the structure to its surroundings, celebrating light, air, and landscape.

A Visual and Experiential Masterpiece

With photography by Ieva Saudargaité, Tahan Villa is more than a home—it is a sculptural object in the landscape, an experiential retreat that harmonizes mass and void, tradition and modernity. Through thoughtful material choices and an architectural language rooted in place, Blankpage Architects have created a residence that is both bold and serene, innovative and grounded.

Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité
Tahan Villa by Blankpage Architects: A Floating Stone Haven Above Jounieh Bay
Photography © Ieva Saudargaité

Posted by BLANKPAGE Architects

Philosophy BLANKPAGE approaches each architectural endeavor with a profound commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and contextual relevance. The studio believes that the best architecture begins with a blank page—free from preconceived forms or stylistic templates. Every project is treated as a unique opportunity to respond to its specific environment, drawing inspiration from the historical, cultural, and spatial characteristics of the site. By grounding their designs in the symbolic essence and real conditions of place, BLANKPAGE creates architecture that aims to be more than just a structure—it aspires to be an event that redefines the spatial experience for both users and the urban context. This collaborative, research-driven method grants the studio a high degree of flexibility, allowing it to adapt to varying scales, budgets, and timelines while ensuring that each solution remains bespoke and meaningful. Background Established in 2000, BLANKPAGE is a collaborative design studio composed of architects, urban designers, and planners. With a strong presence in Lebanon and expanding work across the Arab world, Europe, and Africa, the studio has developed a reputation for thoughtful, context-sensitive architecture. Guided by a philosophy of innovation and respect for place, BLANKPAGE has earned international recognition for its ability to synthesize cultural identity with contemporary architectural expression. The studio continues to evolve as a multidisciplinary practice known for producing refined, responsive, and enduring designs.