ADOM VILLA
A Statement Home in the Heart of Accra
2021, Accra, Ghana
Area: 1103m²
Project Team: Nadine Clarke, Rory David
Adom Villa is more than just a home – it is a considered architectural response to climate, context, and client aspirations. Located in one of Accra’s most sought-after suburbs, the residence was designed to bring together refined living, a love for entertaining, and the ability to function independently of unreliable public utilities. With a challenging timeline and a large scope, the project demanded a careful balance between bold statement-making architecture and practical, day-to-day liveability.
The Client’s Vision for Adom Villa
When the owners of Adom Villa first approached meik architects, they were embarking on their first-ever home build, and not just any home, but their forever home. Referred to us by fellow architects whose work we deeply admire, the clients brought a clear vision: they wanted a residence that would serve as both a sanctuary and an entertainment hub, a space that could welcome guests in style yet still feel peaceful and private.
Their plot, a double stand in a premium suburb, offered both opportunity and urgency. In Ghana, land is generally held on a leasehold basis, and if construction does not commence within a set timeframe, the leasehold can be revoked and sold. This meant the design and construction process needed to move swiftly without sacrificing quality or detail.
From the outset, the design brief was shaped by several key priorities:
- A home for entertaining: Spaces that could accommodate large gatherings, formal functions, and casual get-togethers.
- Privacy in an urban setting: A design that shields the home from street view and neighbouring properties while still feeling open inside.
- Climatic responsiveness: Architecture that works with Ghana’s tropical climate through shading, cross-ventilation, and orientation.
- Self-sufficiency: Backup systems for water and electricity to counter frequent service interruptions.
Designing Adom Villa – From Brief to Blueprint, Working Without a Site Visit
The project’s timing coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown, making international travel impossible at the outset. Without the ability to physically inspect the site, we relied on detailed video footage, extensive photography, and accurate survey data provided by the clients. This remote approach required close communication and a rigorous briefing process, ensuring every design decision was rooted in a deep understanding of the property, local construction methods, and climate conditions.
The U-Shaped Courtyard Concept
The chosen design solution was a U-shaped courtyard home, a form that balances openness with a private central space.
- To the west, a driveway and generous car courtyard welcome guests and create a clear point of arrival.
- At the heart, the large central courtyard becomes the social and visual anchor of the home, providing privacy while connecting the interior spaces.
- Along the perimeter, the building’s own mass screens neighbouring properties and street activity.
The U-shaped form also allows each room to open toward the courtyard, creating a strong indoor-outdoor relationship and ensuring the home feels connected to its garden spaces at all times.
The Entrance Experience
A home of this scale and purpose needed an entrance that felt both inviting and impressive. Guests arrive through a grand double-volume lobby directly off the car court. Between the car court and the main house sits an atrium space, a green lung that softens the transition from outside to inside while screening harsh western sun.
A guest restroom adjacent to the lobby serves visitors who might only be accessing the home office, allowing the private family areas to remain undisturbed. This zoning consideration is an example of how the design balances hospitality with privacy.
Ground Floor: Spaces for Living and Entertaining
The ground floor is dedicated to the home’s most social and service oriented functions:
- Entertainment room – a formal space for hosting events or larger gatherings.
- Family kitchen – the heart of daily life, connected to the courtyard for easy flow to outdoor areas.
- Family TV room – a more casual living space for day-to-day relaxation.
- Guest suite – complete with its own connection to the courtyard, allowing visitors to enjoy privacy and comfort.
A home office, a separate cook’s kitchen, and staff accommodation are carefully tucked away, with their own garden access to maintain discreet functionality.
The formal dining and lounge areas can be opened or closed off from the family kitchen using large pocket doors, creating flexibility for both intimate meals and large-scale entertaining.
First Floor: Private Family Living
Upstairs, the emphasis shifts to private family spaces:
- Four ensuite bedrooms offer comfort and privacy, each designed with ample light and ventilation.
- PJ lounge provides a cosy communal space for the family to relax together.
- Study serves as a quiet retreat for work or reading.
- Luggage store offers practical storage for travel-related items.
- Dry goods pantry with dumbwaiter links directly to the garage below, making it easy to transport groceries without disrupting the main living spaces.
Roof Level: Function Meets Lifestyle
The roof space serves both functional and lifestyle purposes:
- Viewing terrace – an elevated space to take in the surrounding views.
- Tank room – housing a backup water supply, using gravity feed to ensure consistent availability.
- PV panel array – generating electricity for the home, with easy roof terrace access so dust can be cleaned from panels to maintain efficiency.
Climatic Responsiveness and Sustainability
Adom Villa was designed with Ghana’s tropical climate firmly in mind. Deep porches and generous roof overhangs provide shade and reduce heat gain, while the home’s orientation maximises natural light and encourages cross-ventilation.
Sliding doors and well positioned openings allow breezes to flow through the home, generating cross ventilation and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. Passive design strategies like these create a comfortable living environment while reducing energy demand.
Off-Grid Resilience
Service interruptions are a known reality in Ghana, so resilience was built into the home from the start. The combination of a solar PV system, gravity-fed water tank, and energy-conscious design means the home can operate independently for extended periods when needed.
The placement of the PV panels above the master suite ensures they are easily accessible for cleaning, an important detail given the dusty conditions that can affect solar efficiency.
A Home Designed for the Long Term
While Adom Villa makes a strong architectural statement, its success lies in its ability to serve the needs of its owners both now and in the future. The layout supports day-to-day family life, accommodates guests with ease, and adapts to different scales of entertaining. Its sustainable design and backup systems provide security and comfort in an unpredictable service environment.
By balancing aesthetics with practicality and bold form with climatic responsiveness, the villa delivers on the client’s vision while respecting the constraints of time, place, and budget.
Considering Your Own Villa Project?
If the approach taken with Adom Villa resonates with you, Meik Architects would be happy to discuss how we can shape your own dream home, whether in Ghana, South Africa, or beyond. Our process is rooted in collaboration, context, and a commitment to delivering designs that work beautifully for the people who will live there.
Let’s discuss your vision and see how we can bring it to life.
📞 Nadine: 082 809 1970
📞 Studio: 011 025 8318
📧 info@meik.co.za