Villa M2 | Selim Senin

Villa M2
Villa M2 is a contemporary luxury residence located on a hillside site overlooking Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Positioned on a 2,000-square-meter plot with panoramic views of the city, the project was developed around a simple design objective: to allow every major living space to engage with the landscape.

Rather than creating a compact and inward-looking house, the residence is organized as a series of horizontally extending volumes surrounding a double-height central core. The arrangement allows the living spaces, bedrooms, terraces, and social areas to maintain a continuous visual relationship with the surrounding gardens and the distant city skyline.

One of the defining architectural features of the project is its oversized floating roof. The roof planes extend far beyond the building envelope, creating deep shaded terraces that protect the interior from direct sunlight while strengthening the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Linear openings carved into the roof structure introduce controlled daylight into the semi-open terraces and circulation spaces, producing constantly changing patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

The main entrance is located on the road-facing side of the site and leads into a dramatic double-height entrance hall that serves as the spatial heart of the residence. This vertical volume establishes a visual contrast with the otherwise horizontal composition of the building. A floating staircase constructed with cantilevered timber treads rises along a full-height natural stone wall, transforming circulation into an architectural experience. The staircase, entrance hall, and upper-level gallery create a sculptural interior sequence that connects the different levels of the house.

The entrance hall is further enriched by integrated indoor gardens, natural stone surfaces, timber wall cladding, and filtered daylight. Rather than functioning as a simple circulation space, it acts as a transitional environment between architecture and landscape, introducing visitors to the material language of the residence.

The ground floor accommodates the primary family functions, including living and dining spaces, guest accommodation, wellness facilities, service areas, and outdoor entertainment terraces. The upper floor contains private spaces positioned to benefit from the most expansive views of Kigali while maintaining privacy from the rest of the residence. The layout and organization of the house were developed to maximize both openness and comfort, allowing the family to experience the surrounding landscape from almost every room.

Large floor-to-ceiling glazed façades dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. The gardens become visual extensions of the living areas, while covered terraces provide comfortable outdoor environments throughout the year. The architectural composition balances transparency and privacy through carefully positioned openings, deep overhangs, and landscaped buffers.

Interior Design Concept
The interior design of Villa M2 continues the architectural idea of openness, light, and spatial continuity. Rather than treating the interior as a collection of separate rooms, the project creates a sequence of interconnected spaces organized around the double-height entrance hall and internal garden courts.

Natural materials form the foundation of the interior palette. Large-format stone surfaces, warm timber finishes, textured wall panels, and bronze-toned details are combined to create a calm and timeless atmosphere. Integrated lighting is concealed within ceilings, walls, staircases, and joinery elements, emphasizing architectural surfaces rather than decorative fixtures.

At the center of the house, a glass-enclosed interior garden introduces natural elements into the living areas. Sculptural stone compositions, vegetation, and carefully framed views create a visual focal point that can be experienced from multiple rooms. This internal landscape blurs the distinction between interior architecture and outdoor space while improving daylight penetration throughout the house.

The living and dining areas are conceived as a continuous social environment. Double-height spaces, large glass surfaces, and carefully positioned courtyards create visual depth and allow natural light to reach deep into the interior. The dining area is positioned adjacent to a vertical garden and sculptural courtyard, transforming everyday activities into spatial experiences connected with nature.

The kitchen adopts a minimalist design language characterized by clean lines, integrated storage, natural timber surfaces, and stone countertops. A large central island functions as both a preparation area and a social gathering space. Concealed lighting and integrated shelving contribute to the calm and uncluttered character of the room.

The master suite was designed as a private retreat within the residence. The bedroom, dressing area, and bathroom form a continuous sequence of spaces connected by natural materials and filtered daylight. The walk-in dressing room incorporates open display systems and integrated storage, while the bathroom introduces spa-inspired elements through natural stone, warm lighting, and generous glazing.

Throughout the residence, the interior design emphasizes simplicity, material quality, natural light, and spatial experience. The result is a contemporary home that combines architectural clarity with comfort, creating a living environment deeply connected to its site, climate, and landscape.

Project Information

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Project Type: Private Residence

Lenght: 42 meter

Site Area: 2,000 m²

Building Area: 618 m²

Design Company: WALL Corporation | Architecture & Urban Design Studio

About WALL Corporation

WALL Corporation Ltd. is an architecture and design studio based in Kigali, Rwanda, specializing in residential architecture, multi-family housing, mixed-use developments, and urban living environments. The studio focuses on creating functional, climate-responsive, and context-sensitive spaces that enhance everyday life while maintaining a strong architectural identity.

Project Team

Selim Senin

Cemil pamukcu

Isinsu Sopaoglu

Kubra Mutlu