A Living Masterpiece: Inside Dr. Sami Angawi’s Jeddah Home

This isn’t a palace. It’s not a museum either.

It’s the private home of Dr. Sami Angawi, a renowned Saudi architect and cultural preservationist, located in the heart of Jeddah. A living, breathing homage to centuries of Islamic architecture and Hijazi tradition, the residence is unlike anything most people will ever see.

Where Heritage Meets Harmony

Dr. Angawi’s mission has long been to preserve the rich heritage of the Hijaz region, and nowhere is that more evident than in his own home. The design fuses ancient techniques with modern sensibilities, creating an atmosphere that is both timeless and deeply personal.

Walking through the residence is like stepping into a gallery of Islamic craftsmanship: hand-carved wood doors, intricate geometric tiles, and quiet water channels that flow through the building, bringing both cooling air and a sense of tranquility.

A Space with Soul

Light and shadow play an important role throughout the home. A central atrium opens to the sky, flooding the space with natural light and echoing the traditional Arab courtyard house. The walls, adorned with green mosaics, evoke both spiritual symbolism and regional aesthetics.

But what truly sets the home apart is its intentionality. Every curve, corner, and carving has a story. From the orientation of rooms to the flow of air and light, the home is designed to support both human well-being and cultural continuity.

A Lifelong Mission Built in Stone and Spirit

Dr. Angawi is not only an architect but also a guardian of Islamic art. As the founder of the Amar Center for Architectural Heritage, he has championed the preservation and revival of traditional design principles throughout Saudi Arabia and the wider Islamic world.

In his own residence, those principles come to life not as a static exhibit, but as a living environment that breathes, listens, and inspires. It is a house, yes, but also a philosophy in form.

For the fortunate few who get to step inside, it’s clear: this is more than architecture. It is a legacy.

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Image Courtesy: Instagram @sarahforyame