AGi architects hides wall house in kuwait behind monumental stone façade

AGi architects hides wall house in kuwait behind monumental stone façade
all images by nelson garrido

situated in a residential suburb of kuwait city, this dwelling designed by AGi architects protects its inhabitants with a large fortress-like façade. appropriately titled ‘wall house’, the scheme meets the brief set by the client who wanted a ‘large shell’ to protect his family — including his three daughters. the design incorporates four patios, which have been developed three-dimensionally. hidden behind imposing stone elevations, these secluded external spaces allow residents to spend time outdoors without being overlooked by prying eyes.

the home is situated in a residential suburb of kuwait city

internally — at ground level — a large lattice delineates an enclosed living room surrounded by gardens and patios. above, a shared living room extends onto a terrace where friends and family can relax, chat, eat and socialize. this particular open air veranda is connected with the mother’s private garden on the lower level without any shared sightlines. the sheltered nature of the terraces means that residents are protected from the region’s strong sun, while vegetation and greenery are able to grow freely throughout the home. the house’s unconventional configuration creates a series of versatile ‘free zones’ that the architects say will encourage new ways of occupying the residence.

an atrium is populated with greenery and vegetation

plants are able to grow freely throughout the home

the house’s unconventional configuration creates a series of versatile ‘free zones’

a large lattice delineates an enclosed living room

a shared living room extends onto a terrace where friends and family can relax

secluded external spaces allow residents to spend time outdoors

patios are sheltered from the region’s hot sun

various living spaces are organized around the atrium

a fortress-like façade protects occupants from prying eyes

the client wanted a ‘large shell’ to protect his family

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project info:

name: wall house
type: residential
area: 2,500 sqm
location: khaldiya, kuwait
completed: 2015
photography: nelson garrido

main architects: nasser b. abulhasan, joaquin perez-goicoechea
project leaders: lucia sanchez salmon, hanan alkouh, sharifa al shalfan
project team: joséangel del campo, bruno gomes, lulu al awadhi, babu abraham, abdulhafiz bahi el din, waleed fawzy el demdash, robert varghese, naseeba shaiji, sonia george, abhilash challiyil