Black Brick Villa | Selim Senin

Located in Kigali, Rwanda, Black Brick Villa is a transformation project that reinterprets one of the repetitive brick house typologies commonly found throughout the city.

Rather than demolishing the existing structure and replacing it with a completely new building, the project explores how an ordinary residential typology can evolve while preserving its architectural memory.

The original house belonged to a residential development where hundreds of similar brick houses were constructed using the same design language. The challenge was therefore not simply to increase floor area, but to introduce new functions and contemporary living standards without losing the identity of the existing neighborhood.

The intervention began with the reorganization of the interior layout and the extension of the upper floor. Additional bedrooms were introduced, circulation was simplified, and previously fragmented spaces were transformed into larger and more flexible living areas. New service functions, including secondary utility spaces and outdoor support areas, were relocated to independent structures, allowing the main house to become more open and efficient.

The architectural identity of the project is defined by the relationship between two materials. The existing red brick surfaces were preserved as a reference to the original building, while newly added volumes were wrapped in dark textured plaster. Rather than hiding the difference between old and new, the project intentionally emphasizes it. The black volumes clearly identify the contemporary interventions while remaining visually connected to the brick structure.

A circular opening carved into one of the dark walls acts as a visual connector between different parts of the house. More than a window, it functions as an architectural frame that creates layered views through the garden and interior spaces. The circular geometry introduces a softer counterpoint to the otherwise orthogonal composition of the building.

Large glazed openings, deep roof overhangs, and expanded terraces strengthen the relationship between indoor and outdoor living. The new upper floor follows the logic of the original roof geometry while adapting it to contemporary spatial requirements.

Rather than replacing the existing house, the project demonstrates how a familiar residential typology can be transformed through carefully targeted interventions. The result is a contemporary family home that respects its context while establishing a distinct architectural identity.

Project Team

Selim Senin
Esra Nur Sukayar