Some 100 kilometres from the Gulf of Aden, the city of Hargeisa is the capital and largest urban centre of the disputed state of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa. And while a mostly arid expanse separates the city from the water, the coastal waters remain a vital part of the local culture, offering a point of inspiration for DO Architecture‘s aptly named Wave House.

Situated on Hargeisa’s urban periphery, the recently completed home was designed for a local family returning to the city from abroad — and eager to embrace the region’s landscape, history and famed hospitality. For DO Architecture, a boutique Mogadishu-based practice led by emerging Somali designer Omar Degan, translating cultural heritage into a bespoke built environment is at the heart of the firm’s philosophy. As Degan wrote in Azure in 2021, “the built environment can be a physical representation of local knowledge, passed down through the generations.”

At Wave House, the design was rooted in a celebration of local Islamic architecture, as well as a careful balance of privacy and openness that expresses a sense of welcome within a private residence. From afar, the home is immediately distinguished by its joyful yellow colour and sinuously curved parapets — which hint at the arched forms common in local vernacular.

The home’s staggered — and visually dynamic – form is carved around a prominent central courtyard. The verdant outdoor haven invites social gatherings, while also facilitating natural ventilation throughout the home. On the ground floor, spaces are divided into three distinct areas, comprising a kitchen and dining space, a welcoming living room, as well as a guest suite with a private entrance.

While the space is designed to host social gatherings and extended family guests, a sense of modesty and privacy is also embedded throughout. Indeed, the sociable courtyard also provides a sense of separation between the home’s various zones. In the guest suite, a generously proportioned private bathroom — which doubles as a space area for Wudu ablution rituals — reflects the integration of cultural and religious practices into design.

Upstairs, the second floor features bedrooms and bathrooms for the family, as well as a dedicated zone for prayer and spiritual practice. A shaded balcony offers another outdoor space, with thermal comfort enhanced by elegant perforations in the façade. Finally, the Wave House roof terrace opens out to a panorama of the landscape. It is a vista framed — and celebrated — by the sunny optimism of swooping parapets.