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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Twin House in Abdullah Al Salem, Kuwait by AlHumaidhi ArchitectsSeptember 1st, 2022 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: AlHumaidhi Architects Comprised of two houses with a mirrored plan, each of the homes responds to different urban conditions. To the east, the first house looks onto a narrow internal road, with neighbors in close proximity; the second house faces westward onto a high-traffic, main road as well as the hot western sun. Both homes include a basement, ground floor, first floor, and rooftop. The basement area includes household services and a large multifunction room. On the ground floor, an L-shaped plan contains the house’s main functions, including the living room, dining room, office, and open kitchen all while enclosing an intimate garden and a pool. The main sleeping quarters are all located on the first floor, while occupants enjoy access to a terrace and gym on the roof.  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido
 Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido Twin House is designed that addresses a number of relevant social and environmental criteria that are all too often overlooked locally in residential architecture. It meaningfully tackles privacy concerns, especially in relation to its context. The design borrows from a rich regional vernacular and constructively builds upon it to develop robust and cohesive solutions. In the case of privacy, the stone Mashrabiya shields the interior spaces from onlookers and passers-by thus offering the family a secluded personal space. The stone itself is durable and hardwearing and effectively blocks and reflects the hot sun with its thermal properties and light color.  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido Twin Houses main design element is driven by this unique, stone Mashrabiya, a privacy screen that wraps around the perimeter of the first floor. The Mashrabiya, which functions as a sort of stone “skin,” is stretched and manipulated strategically to maintain a sense of continuity that unifies the reading of the facade while remaining responsive to contextual and climatic issues. The limestone screen adorns the facade and gives the illusion of a stretched fabric whose perforations differ as a response to the spaces behind. The screen protects the house from the harsh sun exposure. The openings and gaps in the Mashrabiya become progressively wider to allow light and control views to and from private spaces such as changing rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Other apertures are designed as deep-set arched windows that reinforce the theme of curves, arches and clean lines throughout the house. During the evening, the Mashrabiya functions as a signature design element, creating a glowing lantern effect with soft light installations installed within the skin itself.  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido  Image Courtesy © Nelson Garrido  Image Courtesy © AlHumaidhi Architects  Image Courtesy © AlHumaidhi Architects  Image Courtesy © AlHumaidhi Architects  Image Courtesy © AlHumaidhi Architects  Image Courtesy © AlHumaidhi Architects
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Tags: Abdullah Al Salem, Kuwait Categories: House, Residential |
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