Kuwait City, Kuwait
KEO International Consultants’s Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters tower takes its cues from the traditional form of the dhow, which represents Kuwait’s past heritage while symbolizing its soaring global presence in the future and sets a new benchmark for the development of high-rise buildings in the Middle East.
Combining traditional architectural elements with contemporary architecture practices, Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The tower consists of four office courtyard atria with eight floors each and one six-story executive office courtyard.
This central space brings a sense of focus and distinctiveness to each of the office floors while maintaining structural harmony and creating a unified whole.
The façade of the tower, based on the traditional mashrabiya, is not only eye-catching but also eco-friendly.
It serves as a screening mechanism for reducing the window aperture on the western and southern facades to protect the building from intense sunlight while increasing the window aperture on the eastern and northern facades allows more natural light into the building.
This dynamic façade changes depending on the directional orientation and levels of the tower.
Throughout design development, KEO focused on delivering state-of-the-art electrical systems, with continuous value engineering meant to optimize system performance and reduce energy consumption.
The project focuses on sustainability, safety, and comfort. Best practice techniques are utilized during the design process, which includes designing the lighting utilizing the latest technology with IESNA as the reference standard.
Coordination with other disciplines, a holistic approach, and implementation of best design practices ensure that the electrical works are the best in class.
In terms of life safety and security, the systems designed far exceeded NFPA, KFD, and MOI requirements.
A fire command center with full monitoring capabilities was provided. Security is given careful consideration, and all public areas are fully equipped with high-definition IP-based cameras.
The façade lighting utilizes LED technologies and creates a sense of warmth and vibrancy. The thermal controls within the building, coupled with calming artificial and natural lighting, provide a relaxing experience for visitors.
The building’s distinctive exterior is designed to keep out the potentially harmful rays of the sun. It provides privacy from outsiders looking in and can be transformed into a façade mechanism that controls the window aperture depending on the façade’s orientation.
All building components, inclusive of façade elements and structural elements, are planned on a 1-meter vertical and horizontal grid, while a courtyard forms the central binding element, as is the case in most buildings in the Islamic world.
A cavity underneath the raised floor is used for all building service functions. This allows for complete flexibility and accessibility throughout the building.
Essential electro-mechanical building services are designed in accessible shafts, cavities, and ceiling spaces to allow for complete maintenance access without interrupting office functionality.
The uniquely designed HVAC system is created to act as an under-floor air distribution/displacement ventilation system, corresponding to the latest technological advancement.
The office tower is a 48-story square structure of 48 meters by 48 meters, having internal atria at different heights and levels. The structural spans vary up to 16 meters. The floor system consists of 240mm thick cast in situ post-tensioned slabs supported by post-tensioned beams at 8m centers.
Project: Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters
Architects: KEO International Consultants
General Contractor: First United General Trading & Contracting Co.
Client: Kuwait Investment Authority
Photographers: Mohammad Taqi Ashkanani
