lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait

TAEP/AAP encloses retreat within towering walls in kuwait

 

Architecture and engineering practice TAEP/AAP completes the White Fortress, a coastal residence in Al Khiran, Kuwait, embodying the architectural principles of Northern Gulf tradition. The design team sets privacy and discretion as the main priorities of the project, creating a serene retreat within its towering white walls. Shielding the interiors from the harsh desert climate, the enclosure contains a series of patios and gardens, offering a sequence of tranquil environments that unfold within the rectangular-walled house. 

 

At the heart of White Fortress, photographed by Fernando Guerra, stands a cylindrical tower—a striking volume evoking a coastal lighthouse. This meditative space offers solitude and panoramic views of the Gulf and the surrounding desert. The tower connects to the roof, which doubles as a contemplative walking path overlooking the gardens, dunes, and endless sea horizon. 

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
all images by Fernando Guerra | FG+SG, courtesy of TAEP/AAP

 

 

multi-use patios and gardens unfold in the White Fortress

 

The Kuwait-based team of TAEP/AAP organizes the single-story dwelling around patios, each serving distinct functions—to greet, rest, and celebrate—ensuring a variety of experiences throughout White Fortress. A central green oasis separates the service areas from the private and social spaces, fostering harmony between functionality and relaxation. Oval-shaped patios, small green gardens, and non-linear paths connect the generously proportioned rooms, enhancing the sense of discovery and intimacy within the home.

 

Glazed facades in the primary social spaces bring light into the interiors while framing the surroundings. A rhythmic axial corridor guides residents and visitors through the patios and gardens, culminating in private family spaces. Toward the seaside, the White Fortress opens to the Gulf. A semi-covered paved area engages with the surrounding dunes and vegetation, emphasizing the horizontality of the coastal setting.

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
TAEP/AAP completes the White Fortress, a coastal residence in Al Khiran

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
embodying the architectural principles of Northern Gulf tradition

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
the design team sets privacy and discretion as the main priorities of the project

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
creating a serene retreat within towering white walls

lighthouse-inspired-tower-white-walls-residence-taep-aap-kuwait-01-13-2025-designboom-1800-01

the enclosure contains a series of patios and gardens

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
offering a sequence of tranquil environments that unfold within the rectangular-walled house

lighthouse-like tower rises amid white walls of TAEP/AAP's residence in kuwait
TAEP/AAP organizes the single-story dwelling around patios

lighthouse-inspired-tower-white-walls-residence-taep-aap-kuwait-01-13-2025-designboom-1800-02

a central green oasis separates the service areas from the private and social spaces

 

1/15
at the heart of White Fortress stands a cylindrical tower
at the heart of White Fortress stands a cylindrical tower
toward the seaside, the White Fortress opens to the Gulf
toward the seaside, the White Fortress opens to the Gulf
this meditative space offers solitude and panoramic views of the Gulf
this meditative space offers solitude and panoramic views of the Gulf
each patio serves distinct functions
each patio serves distinct functions
glazed facades in the primary social spaces bring light into the interiors
glazed facades in the primary social spaces bring light into the interiors
the tower connects to the roof, which doubles as a contemplative walking path
the tower connects to the roof, which doubles as a contemplative walking path
oval-shaped patios, small green gardens, and non-linear paths connect the rooms
oval-shaped patios, small green gardens, and non-linear paths connect the rooms
a semi-covered paved area engages with the surrounding dunes and vegetation
a semi-covered paved area engages with the surrounding dunes and vegetation
a rhythmic axial corridor guides residents and visitors through the patios and gardens
a rhythmic axial corridor guides residents and visitors through the patios and gardens
enhancing the sense of discovery and intimacy within the home
enhancing the sense of discovery and intimacy within the home
oval skylights allow natural light. inside
oval skylights allow natural light. inside
floor plans by TAEP/AAP
floor plans by TAEP/AAP
sections by TAEP/AAP
sections by TAEP/AAP
axonometric plan by TAEP/AAP
axonometric plan by TAEP/AAP
sketch by TAEP/AAP
sketch by TAEP/AAP

project info:

 

name: White Fortress
architect: TAEP/AAP | @taep.ku
location: Al Khiran, Kuwait
area: 1045 square meters

 

team: Abdulatif Almishari, Rui Vargas, Carla Barroso, Alba Duarte, Telmo Rodrigues, Carlo Palma, Duarte Correia, Elvino Domingos, Emanuel Grave, Hassan Javed, João Costa, Lionel Estriga, Pedro Miranda

MEP: Mohammed Hassan, Rúben Rodrigues

interior design: Leonor Feyo, Carolina Grave

landscape: Susana Pinheiro

graphic design: Mariana Neves, Aquilino Sotero, Diogo Monteiro, Federica Fortugno, Nelson Ferreira, Luís Esteves

structure: R5 Engineers

site supervision: ASBUILT (Lúcio Silva, Ricardo Janeiro, Vando Beldade)

photographer: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG | Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

KEEP UP WITH OUR DAILY AND WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS
suscribe on designboom
- see sample
- see sample
suscribe on designboom

architecture in kuwait (23)

fernando guerra (64)

residential architecture and interiors (4292)

TAEP/AAP (4)

X
5