RESIDENTIAL NASIMA

RESIDENTIAL NASIMA aims to question the essential realization of an ever modernizing and homogenizing surrounding urban context. As Kuwait City moves towards drastic and rapid modernization, the architectural values that should protect the culture, traditions of the city, and the individual are disintegrating. To instigate the debate of preserving culture while allowing progress, RN as part of a whole, exemplifies a development that blends into the city fabric. The part takes inspiration from the historical, natural landscape and urban clusters, while providing a provoking contemporary design and controlled solutions in contrast. RN sets out to question two typical archetypes seen throughout the region - standard, rectilinear, symmetrical city plot dimensions, and the abundant use of native stone and white concrete. The design works backwards from the basic volume of the zoning envelope - the cube. Then the monolithic volume is brutally chiseled through a series of cuts informing internal use, shading, and access to reflect on the issues of traditional functions, extreme climate, as well as exposure and privacy highlighting the lifestyle aspect of the GCC region. The final design encompasses over 6000 square meters of built area and provides for eight unique residential units.