House Zgarty by platau in Zgarty, Lebanon

Project: House Zgarty Architects: platau Location: Zgarty, Lebanon Area: 4,305 sq ft Photos: Ieva Saudargaite

House Zgarty by platau

House Zgarty is a stunning modern residence located in an olive grove in Zgarty, Lebanon. Designed by the architectural firm platau, the house maximizes the beauty of its setting, offering breathtaking views of distant mountain ranges.

House Zgarty is situated within a Mediterranean olive grove. The site slopes gently toward the main road and offers an unobstructed view of the agricultural plain and mountains. The house adapts to the sloping terrain, views, and privacy by being arranged in two L-shaped horizontal levels that follow the natural topography: the lower level houses bedrooms, bathrooms, and service areas. The upper level is dedicated to living spaces including the dining room, kitchen, and library.

The projections of both horizontal levels create a third area — an open internal courtyard that allows the landscape to permeate throughout the house. An U-shaped stone wall wraps diagonally around both levels, creating a strong external silhouette and a series of enclosed terraces. On the lower level, terraces function as internal gardens that illuminate bathrooms and bedrooms with natural light. On the upper level, the terrace serves as an open entrance hall. In contrast to this, the interior is entirely glass-walled and opens up to privacy terraces, courtyards, and distant mountain vistas. The roof extends outward with large overhangs creating shade and privacy for the glass living spaces below, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments.

From the street, the house appears as a series of horizontal silhouettes that dissolve into the ground, integrating it with its broader geography and ensuring privacy from proximity to the road.

Materials include sandstone cladding for the boundary and U-shaped wall, white concrete for the roof and structure, and low-energy glass for interior facades. The south-facing orientation of the house and its form allow for natural lighting, cross-ventilation, and passive cooling throughout all rooms; eliminating the need for air conditioning during the long Mediterranean summer season while also benefiting from optimal solar exposure in winter.

–platau