DETAILS

Two-building academic facility for students on the education track at Sabah al-Salem University City aka Kuwait University. Designed to remove 80% of solar heat gain through careful design of façade geometry, without the need for mechanical cooling. At one August site visit, I measured 28°C inside of the building, while outside measured 60°C — the sole result of the locally produced GFRC panels.

Academically, the building’s spaces are deployed along a five-story, building-wide “education boardwalk” that includes spaces for learning and social engagement outside of the classroom, such as reading carrels, a café, exhibition spaces, student-and-teacher lounges, and library tables with projection screens for group work.

640,000sf

$160,000,000 USD

Built: Completed in 2020

AWARDS

World Architecture Festival, 2010

SARA National, 2010

AIA NYC, 2012

AIA New York State, 2010

World Architecture News, 2010

NYC AIA, 2010

P+W Biennale, 2012

Anthony Fieldman, Lead Designer / Principal - Perkins+Will

Scott Kirkham, Sr. Designer - Perkins+Will

Dutch Osborne, Facade Designer - Perkins+Will

Perkins+Will/Dar al-Handasah, Architects of Record