Kuwait Ministry of Education

CambridgeSeven in association with Gulf Consult

Short description

This new Headquarters building introduces a new era for the Ministry of Education by unifying its many departments from scattered locations throughout the city. This purpose-built complex provides Kuwaiti citizens with a single, efficient hub for conducting all of their education-related transactions. The building’s form, inspired by the sails of a dhow, celebrates the history of Kuwait while looking forward, as it incorporates significant technology and sustainable building practices into its design.

The central feature of the headquarters, both visually and programmatically, is the main atrium space, which incorporates glass, views and dynamic water features to create a vibrant and engaging hub for the 4,000 employees and 2,200 daily visitors. This 12-story, skylit atrium is capped with a constellation of ultra-light ETFE pillows that permit daylight in without requiring the structure necessary to support the equivalent in glass. The façade was designed with an integrated solar-adaptive shading system that automatically adjusts all of the window shades throughout the day in response to the changing position of the sun, saving energy, and reducing glare and heat gain. To allow direct sunlight to penetrate deeper into the workspace, customized shade schedules were developed by combining information about building location and façade orientation.

A series of hanging stairs, bridges and open decks crisscross the atrium and connect the multiple office levels and north and south towers. A grand stair and escalator flank a striking, stepped water feature that leads to the main lobby where a water wall directs visitors to the auditorium. The graceful, glass-edged circulation paths embody and promote the ministry’s commitment to open and accessible service for the citizens of Kuwait.

The new building and site are also a learning resource, hosting workshops, conferences and boosting awareness of the Ministry to the wider community, furthering its community engagement and outreach initiatives.