- Project: Lagoon Villa Abidjan
- Architect: SAOTA
- Location: Ivory Coast, Abidjan
- Year: 2023
- Area: 1272 m2
- Photography: Adam Letch
Lagoon Villa Abidjan by SAOTA is a masterclass in architectural synergy—where bold modernist lines meet the serene rhythm of Côte d’Ivoire’s Ébrié Lagoon. Designed by the internationally acclaimed firm SAOTA, with interiors by Claude Missir, this striking residence redefines waterfront living in the heart of West Africa.
A Harmonious Dialogue with Its Environment
Nestled at the intersection of bustling urban life and tranquil waters, the Lagoon Villa is more than a luxury family home—it’s a carefully composed retreat that dissolves boundaries between architecture and nature. Drawing inspiration from Abidjan’s rich modernist legacy, SAOTA crafted the home to be both a visual statement and a responsive structure deeply attuned to its tropical setting.
The villa’s standout feature is its permeable roof, a graceful canopy of concrete beams interspersed with skylights. This architectural gesture mimics sunlight filtering through foliage, casting dappled light across the interiors and connecting the home to its lush surroundings. Tiered courtyards and verdant landscaping further soften the transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Design for Climate and Comfort
Responding to the tropical West African climate, the design incorporates generous overhangs and expansive sliding glass doors, inviting cross-ventilation and shaded respite throughout the day. This passive cooling strategy reduces reliance on artificial systems, reflecting SAOTA’s commitment to sustainability and bioclimatic design.
Each transitional space in the home is purposefully designed to blur the lines between interior and exterior—from covered verandas and breezy walkways to shaded patios that seamlessly flow into open living areas.
Interiors by Claude Missir: Refined, Rooted, and Expressive
Interior architect Claude Missir brings warmth and soul to the villa with an earthy yet elevated palette. His design draws directly from the natural surroundings: subtle hues, organic textures, and materials like flamed granite, exposed concrete, and glass echo the villa’s modernist exterior while grounding the home in local context.
“The indoor colours were taken from the surrounding landscape, so it feels as if the inside and outside merged in a natural way,” says Missir. “When you open yourself to new challenges and ideas, daring colours, forms and materials, the outcome will often surprise you!”
Every detail—from spatial flow to material selection—was carefully curated to enhance the villa’s livability, ensuring elegance never overshadows comfort.
A New Chapter in Abidjan’s Architectural Identity
Long celebrated for its progressive architectural spirit, Abidjan continues to be a hub for contemporary design in Africa. The Lagoon Villa by SAOTA not only honors the city’s legacy of modernism but also pushes it forward—blending clean, geometric forms with an intuitive embrace of climate, landscape, and lifestyle.
Through the lens of sustainable luxury and cultural sensitivity, SAOTA and Claude Missir have created a villa that is at once grounded in its location and universally aspirational.
