Architect: Studio Toggle Photographer: João Morgado Location: Mishref, Kuwait Year of Completion: 2019
This image offers a detailed, close-up view of the residence from an aerial vantage point.This photograph provides an aerial perspective of the residence.This photo captures a low-angle view of the front facade of the house, showcasing its exterior designs and architectural features.This photograph depicts a striking white monolithic volume that comprises the house’s front facade, showcasing its intricate architectural details and design features with impressive clarity and precision.It provides a dynamic two-point perspective view of the house’s exterior, showcasing the sophistication and style of the building’s architecture.This photograph presents an alternate two-point perspective view of the house’s exterior, captured from a distinct vantage point that accentuates the sophistication and style of its architecture.This photograph captures a striking view of the exterior wall design of the house’s side section, taken from a favorable vantage point.This photograph presents an exterior view of the house, offering a glimpse of the street beyond, captured during nighttime.This image provides a close-up view of the metal wall cladding on a specific section of the house’s exterior.An interior view of the 4-story courtyard, showcasing the wall design that incorporates Omani stone and cladding materials.A perspective captured from a low vantage point, offering a unique view of the inner courtyard of the residence.A photograph showcasing the ground floor interior of the courtyard area.A captivating image captured within the courtyard, showcasing a staircase that seamlessly connects to balconies on multiple levels of the house.A photograph highlighting the pool area of the house.A visually engaging collage featuring two distinct floating staircases. The first showcases a contemporary glass railing complemented by a minimalist color scheme of ethereal white and natural woods. The second staircase is crafted entirely out of Omani stone, creating a bold and striking design statement.This is a nighttime interior photograph showcasing the courtyard area, highlighting the presence of a private citrus tree that is elegantly positioned within the courtyard.
This is an alternate viewpoint interior photograph of the courtyard area.This is a visual depiction of the courtyard fountain.This is a visual representation of the house’s cladding design and windows, as seen from the perspective of the courtyard.This is a daytime interior photograph of the courtyard area.An aerial photograph of the courtyard, showcasing its interior design.A close-up photograph of the staircase, highlighting its modern glass railing.
This is an interior photograph of the courtyard, showcasing a detailed view of its wall cladding and glass windows designs.This is a photograph captured from a different angle, highlighting the Omani stone staircase located within the courtyard.This is an interior photograph of a hallway that leads to various parts of the house.An interior photograph of the house’s living area, which highlights the exquisitely crafted interior design elements that lend an air of elegance and sophistication to the space.An interior photograph of another living unit that showcases its expansive space and welcoming atmosphere.This is an image depicting the termination point of a circular loop staircase.A close-up image that emphasizes the intricate interior design of the circular loop staircase.An interior photograph of the living area captured from a different vantage point, providing a glimpse of the adjacent dining area.An image showcasing full height cabinets situated along a passageway that leads to a door at the end of the picture.The basement and ground floor plan of the house.An exploded axonometric view of the fountain and water channel of the house.A circulation loop or social space plan of the house.A courtyard plan which acts as a space for social cohesion for the two houses.An illustration of the social and climatic significance of the courtyard and fountain.The roof floor and building section plan of the house.The first and second floor plan of the house.
Introduction
The house in Mishref is home to two brothers and their families with their varying lifestyles and needs for privacy and open spaces. Essentially an introverted composition of two separate living units grouped around an internal courtyard, the house is an interpretation of the traditional courtyard house. Presenting a clean and serene façade to the street, the resulting massing can be best described as a white monolithic volume poised elegantly on top of a stone cladded podium. Rhythmic arrangement of louvered windows across the façade softens the volume by lending it a sense of lightness.
Site and context
The site is located in Mishref, a suburb of Kuwait City comprised mostly of 2-3 story detached houses. The demographic is mostly Kuwaiti and the neighbourhood values privacy and quietness. The harsh desert sun in one of the hottest cities in the world sees ambient temperatures rise up to 50 degrees Celsius regularly during the summer. Dust storms are also a regular phenomenon that dictates the planning and construction strategies in the area.
A quick study of the surroundings reveal the following insights:
Climate controlled internal spaces are preferred more than open outdoor or semi outdoor spaces.
Maximising the internal built spaces dictates that windows on the perimetric walls become the only source of natural daylight.
Privacy concerns results in most of these perimetric windows being closed most of the time, resulting in dark and unhealthy interiors.
Lack of internal social spaces.
The challenge was to address these concerns and define optimised design strategies without escalating the budget.
Strategies and concept
The courtyard and the fountain
The house is organized around an internal courtyard cutting across all the floors. The U-shaped volume faces this courtyard in an Omani stone clad skin. The courtyard and the void results in an inward-looking typology that can benefit from maximum diffused daylight without compromising on privacy. The house, thus, opens up towards the interior featuring a private citrus tree lined courtyard with a sculptural fountain reminiscent of the gardens from the Moorish Alcazars.
Circulation loop or social space?
The 4-story courtyard and void presented a question of human scale as well as connectivity between the living units facing each other. A circulation loop comprised of a dramatic floating staircase connecting with balconies on multiple levels addressed these issues by punctuating the void. The staircases and the balconies also double up as viewing platforms and social spaces by offering advantageous vantage points and ease of access.
The Palette
The interiors of the house features a simple palette of ethereal white and natural woods. The straight and minimal lines of the massing is offset with the sleek curves of spiral staircases. The furniture is carefully chosen and boldly contrasted against the serene ambience. The calming sound of the water and the diffused light filtered through the louvered windows make this house an oasis of tranquillity in this busy Kuwaiti suburb.
