#UNDER C: "Al Massaleh Complex Extension", 30F/30F, Residential

Al Massaleh Complex Extension:





The design challenge posed in this project is intricately complicated as the introduction of two 30 story towers within an existing complex must be done flawlessly in order to preserve the powerful vision of the original design.After the selection of Proposal A from our initial Massing Study, we have gone into further detailed design studies to ensure that both towers are fully functional and provide the optimal layout within the designated parameters of the design.

The primary object remains to integrate the existing residential complex and the new in a manner which would create an iconic and harmonious design.


The design vision maintains the existing towers in their location and delves into an extensive geometric study of their current views in order to
delicately place the two large towers in such a manner as not to disturb them.

This vision results in the new towers deriving a ‘chiseled’ shape from
the existing buildings which so elegantly shape views of the Arabian Gulf with their 45 degree angle plan.

Tower A is placed at the southern corner of the site and is 30 floors in height. It will comprise of 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, and 3 bedrooms Serviced
Apartments. The tower has a small entrance lobby at the ground floor which provides access to the elevator core comprising of 3 passenger elevators.
We propose that one of these 3 elevators is a deeper cabin in order to be used dually for the purpose of service and emergency (moving
furniture, etc.) Each floor has a small lift lobby providing each access to the apartments located as per the unit mix for that zone.

The building’sshape is the determinant of visual lines and angles which help preserve the views from the existing building located directly adjacent to its proposed location. These units attempt to keep simple internal layouts to create spaces that are useable and efficient to the design.
Tower B is located at the intersection of the geometric grids which form the 90 degree angle at the front of the complex in the original design. It is
31 floors in height and will comprise of 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, and 3 bedroom Rental Apartments.

The tower has a small entrance lobby at the ground floor which proves access to the elevator core comprising of 3 passenger elevators. We propose that one of these 3 elevators is a deeper cabin in order to be used dually for the purpose of service and emergency (moving furniture, etc.) Each floor has a small lift lobby providing each
access to the apartments located as per the unit mix for that zone. Again, this building also takes a ‘chiseled’ shape look similar to that of Tower A
in order to blend more harmoniously with the existing design as well as to preserve views from the existing buildings.

While the inclusion of these two massive towers onto the existing complex is possible, it is more difficult to achieve the required parking as many spaces from the existing basement parking would have to be lost for new mechanical rooms and the footprint for both new towers.

Therefore, we suggest that some of the podium area located at the northeast part of the site be dedicated to providing shaded surface parking. Our design indicates 52 parking spaces which could be located on the podium level which would provide a total of 234 parking spaces to accommodate 235 units.

While several alternatives were proposed of different parking configurations, it was suggested by the client to proceed with the existing basement parking plus the additional podium level parking and try to use the additional parking spaces (approx. 60) around the periphery of the site. This total of 294 will remain short of the requirement from Kuwait Municipality.

The exterior design intent for the new buildings takes their cue from the existing design. Therefore, we propose to express an 80cm tall horizontal band at every floor level which serves as an edge beam and matches a similar height band on the existing towers. The infill comprises of mechanically fastened limestone which will be similar in color to the stone in the existing building. The glass that we propose for the new towers should have a bronze
tint which will elegantly blend with the limestone and light beige paint color on the horizontal band element.

We believe that the glass color of the existing building is much to dark to be repeated in the new buildings. The unique features of both towers are their pointed terraces on their main facades which relate back to the geometry of the existing building but revealing a contemporary interpretation to the original design vision. We believe that our design for the project represents a modern and elegant solution to a design brief which is challenging both in terms of program and architectural treatment.

Client:Al-Massaleh Real Estate Company

Estimated Cost:$ 33 Million

Design Completion:2006

Services Provided:Architectural Design, Engineering Design, Landscape Design
Interior Design, Infrastructure Design, Construction Supervision