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Innovation Through Adaptation: From School to Living

Part 2 Project 2018
Abdullatif Al Barjas
 Kuwait University | Kuwait
Abandoned buildings in Kuwait always had one option; demolition. Much of those buildings shape the architectural heritage of Kuwait. This project aims to adaptively reuse a Modernist school building into a mixed-use housing project. Thus preserving the building, tackling the local issue of housing, and introducing an economically attractive alternative to developers. As a result, the debate on the value of Kuwait’s existing and abandoned building stock is tackled.




Tutor(s)
Asseel Al-Ragam
2018
A significant portion of the local building stock of Kuwait is abandoned buildings, exceeding in numbers the amount of under construction projects. The building tackled, one of many prototype schools found in many suburbs of Kuwait, will soon face the sam
Potentials of the future, while respecting the past.
Through site analysis, an understanding of the urban, social, and economical context was obtained; forces essential in the shaping of the project.
To approach such project, analyzing the building’s condition and history are essential in preserving its architectural character whilst overcoming hazardous obstacles and acknowledging the potentials.
Programs introduced into the building serve the contemporary social needs of a local family and facilitates for a new way of living; shared amenities including a collective kitchen, dining hall, and living room. This allows for a sense of inclusiveness ab
An important form of sustainability is social sustainability. Residential units are designed to ensure the local standard of living, yet allow for space to accommodate future needs, a theme greatly found in family houses. Thus, units are designed to be fl
Proposed elevations aimed at reflecting the buildings lightness and character. The choice of materials and massing are respectful of the original design yet responsive to the new program, technically and aesthetically.
By understanding the potentials of the building’s structure, the activation of the building on multiple layers was possible.
This allowed for a variety of housing typologies including duplexes that respect the local standard of living.
Respectful to the urban significance of the building and adapting to its social value, the mixed-use housing project aims at expressing the value of the building.
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