Program // Residential
Location // Kuwait City, Shuwaikh residential
Area // 1000 m2
Year // 2017
Status // Completed
The project is located in residential Shuwaikh close to the center of Kuwait City. The site is situated between two pre-existing homes on the east and west. The south side of the plot is exposed to the main road, while the north side faces a quiet street adjacent to a neighborhood park.
The main driving factors behind the house's design were the specific requirements set by the client. The first requirement was to have lots of open space and keep building enclosure close to 50% of the total area on the ground floor. The second requirement was the separation of public and private spaces. Parallel’s responded by creating two interlocking L's where one was the primary public used for entertaining guests and housing all the services while the other L was private. The interlocking L's create a barrier from the outside bustle of the city, creating a serene refuge in the central courtyard with large windows and balconies looking onto the float pool and an opportunity for stack ventilation. The third requirement was to accommodate and protect his cars from exposure and having separate designated spaces for his exotic cars and family cars. Parallel's input was to create two different garages where one was for his exotic cars that were more of display space, while the other garage was less extravagant and used primarily by the household.
In addition, Kuwait's harsh climate played an important role in the design of the house. Shading devices in the form of contemporary parametrically designed mishrabiyas adorn the the the north and south facade to shade and create privacy. Long slender windows are used on the east and west facades to minimize solar exposure.