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Set on Nassau Island in the Bahamas, Villa Lyla stands as a testament to the fact that tropical living need not rely on aesthetic clichés. Designed by Africa’s leading architecture firm, SAOTA, this is a contemplative retreat that combines formal rigour with a deeply climate-conscious and respectful approach to its unique locale.
In the exclusive setting of Nassau, beside the calm waters of a canal, SAOTA has created a private residence imbued with deep reverence: Villa Lyla, named in memory of the homeowner’s late daughter. This profoundly personal background informs the house’s composition, defined by a deliberate intention not to overwhelm, favouring a composed and proportionate expression.
Villa Lyla breaks through the region’s traditional architecture by exploring layered forms and a grounded relationship to its landscape. The home is conceived as a peaceful sanctuary on the canal water’s edge, closely attuned to both its lush surroundings and its nautical environment.
An Architectural Composition of Light and Focus
SAOTA’s design is a study in axial relationships. The plan is composed to direct sightlines through and beyond the house—towards the water, the surrounding greenery, and the distant horizon. This creates a series of curated vistas that avoid overwhelming the senses, instead inviting contemplation.
Key to the building’s visual language are the oversized coral stone fins. These sculptural and functional elements modulate light, frame views, and define thresholds. The material—locally quarried coral stone, used in contrasting tones—lends the façade a tactile depth, anchoring the villa in its coastal context.
Expansive glazed apertures and generous overhangs enable a seamless transition between interior and exterior. This openness embraces the balmy Bahamian climate, allowing the rhythms of outdoor living to inform the daily experience of the house. A separate pavilion accommodates a guest suite and office, maintaining privacy while echoing the architectural vocabulary of the main house.
The Timeless Interior
Interiors, by South Africa’s ARRCC, reflect a restrained yet expressive approach. The design carefully considers the colours and tones of the surroundings, weaving in textures that break away from fleeting trends in favour of a design that will feel welcoming for years to come.
Timber and stone finishes infuse warmth, while large-format glazing invites the landscape inward. The spaces are enriched by a curated collection of work by Bahamian artists, reinforcing the home’s connection to local culture and identity. These sit alongside bespoke furnishings—including a sculptural dining table by Nada Debs—creating a layered, textural environment that complements the architecture without overwhelming it.
The Gardens as Outdoor Rooms
Landscape design by Raymond Jungles furthers the intimate connection between building and site. Gardens and courtyards function as outdoor rooms, planted with native species and interspersed with water features. These spaces are not merely ornamental but are spatially woven into the architecture to offer moments of retreat, transition, and reflection. The planting strategy is both ecologically responsive and resilient, supporting year-round growth in the humid, coastal climate.
Conceived as both home and haven, Villa Lyla brings together architectural clarity and material sensitivity. It offers a quietly confident model for tropical living that is both enduring and deeply connected to place.
The project’s successful realization, situated on Nassau Island, The Bahamas, in the Caribbean, was achieved through a collaboration of highly esteemed international firms. The visionary architecture was spearheaded by SAOTA, based in Cape Town, South Africa. Complementing their work, the interior décor was expertly handled by ARRCC, also operating out of Cape Town, South Africa, ensuring the aesthetics were seamlessly integrated with the structure. Finally, the evocative landscape design, which grounds the villa in its tropical setting, was created by Raymond Jungles, based in Miami, USA.
