Silver Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2019
Slabs House Residential Home
- A' Design Award 2019 Silver Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2019
- CLIENT: Ghiath Al Masri
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 46,971
- Verification code CCBA8272A8 · Verify this award
About Slabs House Residential Home
The Slab House was designed to juxtapose construction materials, combining wood, concrete, and steel. The design is at once hyper-modern yet discreet. The huge windows are an immediate focal point, but they are protected from the weather and street-view by concrete slabs. Gardens feature heavily in the property, both on the ground level and at the first floor, allowing the residents to feel connected to nature as they interact with the property, creating a unique flow as one moves from the entrance to the living areas.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Slab House interplays liberally between the use of all the main materials used in its construction; wood, concrete, and steel to make the living experience both visually appealing and tactile. The use of floor to ceiling windows accompanied by twinning concrete slabs separated by strips of space creates an informal, yet structured juxtaposition between the two materials.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The plot is 20M X 30M and has a total area of 600 sqm. The plot is open at the street side with and is 16m above street level at its highest point. The property consists 3 floors above ground with storage. At ground level there is a 140 sqm garden, the second floor has a terrace garden. On the roof is a storage area which allows all mechanical and electrical units to be housed away from the primary residence.
- Tags
- Architecture, Modern, House, Contemporary, Design
- Production Technology
- Slabs House is a concrete structure with steel structures and a blend of finishing materials including concrete, white sigma, and Basalt stone. This production juxtaposed past and present, new and old materials, and brought in some historical markers of Kuwait's construction to evoke history.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was to realize the design which called for windows running from the top to the bottom of the property, in a country in which privacy and security are paramount. The final design allowed the full windows to be used while maintaining privacy through the use of concrete slabs.
- Project Duration
- The project was designed throughout 2018 and was undertaken fully in Kuwait.
- Operation Flow
- The interplay between the different construction materials guide and welcome visitors into the core of the property. By featuring gardens on both ground and first floors, we bring the feeling that the outside and the inside are mixing, while protecting the inside from the extreme heat and weather conditions by using steel and concrete.
- Research
- The research portion of the design included looking at the contemporary residential area, the existing houses and how this property would fit in the landscape. In addition, our team explored traditional architecture and construction methods to connect the past to the present through construction.
- Inspiration
- The initial design developed from the idea of having a residential home that contained and was modern, intimate, open and private. The residence uses concrete slabs to interplay between what cannot be seen viewing from the street view, to the openness and freedom of the experience from a person inside the house looking outside.
- Image Credits
- image #1, #2, #3, #4 3D visual credited to Ghiath Al Masri
Colors of Slabs House Residential Home
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G0E23 ShopDesign Interview about Slabs House Residential Home
elegant house in simple way protect the indoor spaces from the hot sun rays and whether in new way like slabs for that the project name is slab house
distinguish with elegant shapes
expansion my work step forward to international marketing
3 to 4 months
pursuit the new idea , I try to not repeat the design idea
I produce my work to my client only
Luxury villa owners
the shape of it
free hand sketches and computer software like Autocad and 3DSMAX
SLABS cover facade
no only me
concrete fishing and the Aluminum glass windows
the research is my daily habit , to be exposure about architecture movement you have to see daily projects design
The uniqueness is really big challenge
I got a letter from A'Award design that my design is elegible to submit , I find it interesting, I wasn't think before about Awards, but A' Award Design & Competition Team spark up the idea
many thing , first of all free hand sketching I saw many video and images about free hand to develop my skill, then develop the 3D software capability by reading contact with 3D software and plugins companies
I would like to thank A'Award Design team they were very helpful and support for any question .
Grand Interview about Slabs House Residential Home
The use of slabs enhances privacy, which is a common feature of Kuwaiti culture. This design solution respects the cultural emphasis on maintaining privacy while allowing natural light to penetrate the space, creating a harmonious balance between openness and seclusion.
The gardens at both ground level and the first floor of the Slabs House Residential Home create a unique connection with nature, serving as a special feature of this house. This vertical integration of green spaces was inspired by the desire to blend modern living with natural elements, offering residents a refreshing environment that promotes relaxation and well-being. It enhances daily living by providing private outdoor areas on multiple levels, fostering a sense of tranquility and connection to nature, even within an urban setting.
The juxtaposition of wood, concrete, and steel in the Slabs House Residential Home was carefully curated to balance modern aesthetics with Kuwait’s architectural heritage. Concrete was chosen for its durability and ability to create a sense of solidity and privacy, reflecting the region’s emphasis on secure, private spaces. Wood adds warmth and a natural texture, softening the overall design and creating a welcoming atmosphere, while steel brings a contemporary edge, symbolizing innovation and progress. Together, these materials tell a story of tradition meeting modernity, blending Kuwait’s cultural values with sleek, modern design principles.
The design of Slabs House Residential Home carefully balances Kuwait’s extreme weather conditions with a desire for openness and an airy atmosphere. Environmental considerations played a central role in the architectural process. The use of protective concrete slabs shields the interior from harsh sunlight while allowing for strategic airflow to keep the home cool. Floor-to-ceiling windows are positioned to optimize natural light without compromising insulation, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Additionally, integrating shaded green spaces helps regulate temperature and creates a microclimate around the house. These features combine to enhance comfort while reflecting a sustainable and climate-responsive design approach.
The Silver A’ Design Award recognized the Slabs House Residential Home for its innovative use of space, achieved through a careful balance of intimacy and openness within the 600-square-meter plot. The design process focused on maximizing functionality while creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor areas. Protective concrete slabs were strategically positioned to provide privacy for intimate spaces, such as bedrooms and family areas, without sacrificing the openness of communal zones like the living and dining areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows and vertical gardens further enhanced this balance, fostering a connection to nature while ensuring each space felt private and purposeful. This thoughtful spatial arrangement transformed the compact plot into a harmonious, multi-functional living environment.
The research phase of Slabs House Residential Home drew deeply from Kuwait’s architectural history, influencing its modern interpretation through structural elements and spatial organization. Traditional Kuwaiti homes prioritize privacy and climate adaptability, often featuring enclosed courtyards and thick walls for insulation. These principles inspired the use of protective concrete slabs to create shaded, private spaces while promoting airflow. Similarly, the spatial organization reflects the cultural emphasis on family-oriented living, with distinct zones for communal and private activities. By reinterpreting these historical elements through a modern lens—integrating contemporary materials and open layouts—the design honors Kuwait’s architectural heritage while addressing the needs of today’s lifestyle.
The concrete slabs in Slabs House Residential Home were envisioned as a multi-functional architectural element from the outset, evolving to balance aesthetic appeal with practical needs for privacy and security. During the concept phase, the slabs were designed to act as visual shields, inspired by Kuwait’s cultural emphasis on privacy. Their placement was carefully planned to protect interior spaces from direct sightlines while maintaining openness through strategic gaps for natural light and ventilation.
The journey begins with a partially enclosed entryway, offering a sense of shelter and anticipation. From there, the design guides residents and visitors through a carefully curated progression, using spatial thresholds such as textured walls, strategically placed slabs, and changes in ceiling height to subtly define each area.The transition into the living areas was crafted to feel expansive and inviting, with open-plan layouts that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The interplay of light, materials, and views ensures that each movement through the home feels intentional, creating a fluid narrative that connects the spaces while maintaining distinct functions. This choreography reflects the home’s modern aesthetic and cultural roots, offering both comfort and elegance.
The elevated position naturally shields the home from street-level disturbances, aligning with Kuwait’s cultural emphasis on seclusion. It allowed for the creation of expansive floor-to-ceiling windows without compromising privacy, offering unobstructed views of the surroundings while maintaining the home’s intimate feel.Additionally, the elevation influenced the placement of outdoor spaces, such as terraces and gardens, which were designed to capitalize on the height for panoramic vistas and a sense of openness. It also guided the integration of protective concrete slabs, ensuring they framed views strategically while harmonizing with the environment. This thoughtful approach transformed the elevation into a defining feature, merging the home’s architecture with its natural context.
By relocating these units out of sight, we were able to preserve the clean, minimal lines of the building’s facade, allowing the architectural elements, such as the concrete slabs and floor-to-ceiling windows, to take center stage without interruption.Functionally, this choice maximized usable space within the home, ensuring that the interiors remained uncluttered and organized. It also contributed to the overall efficiency of the design, as the rooftop location allowed for better distribution of utilities and maintenance access, without compromising the aesthetics of the living areas.This integration of technical considerations with the design allowed for a more cohesive and refined overall experience, where the mechanical elements support the home’s modern look while remaining unobtrusive and efficient.