Client: Confidential
Location: Kuwait
Services Provided: Design
Plot Size: N/A
Total Built-up Area: 9,760 m²
Construction Cost: US $11,000,000
Starting Date: 2000
Completion Date: 2005
Challenge:
Designed as a private waterfront estate for a Kuwaiti family, this project required a delicate balance between privacy, cultural identity, and contemporary luxury. The challenge was to maximize the site's prime coastal exposure while maintaining a sense of enclosure and intimacy within the residential spaces. Additionally, the project needed to incorporate traditional architectural elements in a way that complemented modern living, ensuring that heritage and innovation coexisted seamlessly.
Approach:
Designed by Dar Al Omran - Rasem Badran (DAO-Badran), the estate was conceptualized as a cluster of three interconnected houses, forming a harmonious residential composition that interacts with the sea and surrounding landscape. A system of courtyards, atrium spaces, passages, and arcades was introduced to revive the cultural and environmental values of traditional Kuwaiti architecture, ensuring shaded, naturally ventilated spaces that respond to the climate and lifestyle needs of the family. The site development incorporated extensive landscaping, featuring lush gardens, terraces, and water features, reinforcing a serene and inviting ambiance. Additionally, the estate included several ancillary structures, such as a covered swimming pool, diwaniya, and basement parking, enhancing the functionality and exclusivity of the residence.
Impact:
The estate successfully reinterprets traditional Kuwaiti residential architecture in a contemporary setting, offering a timeless coastal retreat that embraces both privacy and openness. By seamlessly integrating modern comforts with cultural authenticity, the project sets a new benchmark for high-end waterfront living in Kuwait. Through its thoughtful spatial composition, connection to the sea, and balance between built and natural elements, the estate ensures a refined and enduring residential experience, exemplifying how tradition and modernity can coexist in harmony.
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