Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2019
The Cube Private House
by Ahmed Habib
- A' Design Award 2019 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2019
- CLIENT: Lines
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 59,516
- Verification code 7FCBE0CFBB · Verify this award
About The Cube Private House
To create a quality living experience and redefine the image of a residential building in Kuwait while maintaining the climate requirements and privacy needs dictated by the Arab culture, were the main challenges facing the designer. The Cube House is a four story concrete/steel structure building based on addition and subtraction within a cube creating a dynamic experience between internal and external spaces to enjoy natural light and landscape view all throughout the year.
The Cube Private House by Ahmed Habib represents a sophisticated contribution to contemporary residential architecture that demonstrates the enduring vitality of geometric formalism while incorporating culturally resonant ornamental traditions within a rigorously modernist framework. The composition achieves remarkable visual presence through the bold deployment of a monumental cubic aperture that functions simultaneously as architectural element and frame for the atmospheric canvas beyond, creating a dynamic dialogue between built form and natural environment. The designer appears to draw upon the formal vocabulary of late modernist architecture while integrating elements suggestive of regional building traditions, particularly evident in the elaborate geometric screen that occupies the central facade bay and evokes the perforated screens historically employed in warm climate architecture for light filtration and privacy. Technical accomplishment manifests in the precise articulation of volumetric relationships, the considered material palette that juxtaposes cool mineral surfaces with warm illuminated interiors, and the sophisticated handling of transitional spaces between public and private realms. The chromatic strategy demonstrates particular sensitivity, with the twilight sky providing a luminous backdrop against which the architectural silhouette registers with sculptural clarity while interior warmth suggests sanctuary and human presence within the geometric composition. The incorporation of tropical landscaping elements softens the orthogonal rigor without compromising formal discipline, suggesting a harmonious integration of architecture within its environmental context. One might contemplate how the work negotiates between universal modernist principles and place-specific cultural memory through its ornamental program and material choices.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Conceptual idea was to explore the architectural relation between solid and void through addition and subtraction within a cube, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor.
Floor plan design is based on 2 shifted masses creating an internal atrium (includes air conditioning system which will help to enjoy the garden experience throughout the year) and 2 external courts in the front and rear inspired from traditional houses. Shifting direction was chosen based on 2 aspects; Cultural, privacy obscuring the south side neighbors view & Environmental, creating more natural ventilation & providing needed shade to the front yard. - Dimensions & Packaging
- -Plot Area: 25 m X 40 m
-Built Up Area: 1860 sqm
-Floors: Basement, Ground, First, Second & Roof
-Height Regulation from Street Level: 15 m
-Set Backs Regulations: 3 m from street side & 2 m from neighbors - Tags
- Architecture, Villa, House, Design, Residential, Modern, Landscape, Kuwait
- Production Technology
- -Main Structure: Concrete
-Main Architectural Finishes: Honed Silver Travertine Stone, Black Steel, Off White Stucco, Desaturated Brown Stucco, Matt Walnut Wood, Double Glazed Glass - Design Challenge
- -To create a quality living experience and redefine the image of a residential building in Kuwait while maintaining the climate requirements and privacy needs dictated by the Arab culture, were the main design challenges.
-The client requested several separate entrances with a high solid boundary wall where the plot is only accessible from the front.
-Based on the data collection the Architectural design direction is a mixture of Modern/Luxury design with traditional accents using natural materials.
-Height limitation, Setbacks & maximum Built up area was dictated by Kuwait Architecture Regulations. - Project Duration
- Duration: The project design Process started in December 2018 and finished in February 2019
Location: Kuwait - Operation Flow
- Entrances:
- Main: For Family members & guests
- Diwaneya: For Formal Events (Male Guests)
- Front Yard: Access to Basement Front yard
- Back Yard: Direct Access to kids back yard
- Services: Direct Access for Male Staff & main Kitchen
Floors Functions:
- Ground: Reception & Dinning Spaces for Guests
- Basement: Daily Living Spaces including Pool, GYM, Kids Playroom & Green areas
- First: Kids bed rooms and living space
- Second: Master Bed room with all required facilities & private office
- Roof: Outdoor roof garden and service rooms - Research
- TYPE-OBJECTIVES-METHODOLOGY
1-Data Collection research-Client needs analysis-Client meetings
2-Cultural research-Project Zoning & Privacy needs-Social Questionnaire
3-Arch. Design Direction research-General mood board, Massing & Materials-Web based research
4-Arch. Technical research-Identify Construction methodology-Subject Matter Experts & Web based Research
5-Environmental research-Natural Ventilation & Sun light-Web based research
6-Landscape research-Hardscape & Softscape design direction-Web based Research
7-Presentation direction research-Matching Graphics to Architecture concept-Web based Research - Inspiration
- The main mass was based around a primary form (Cube) & the two imposing stone walls that were inspired by ancient temples creating an approach with the moat like bridge to the house main entrance. The central black metal screen design was inspired by an Islamic pattern and external courts were inspired from Arabic traditional houses.
Colors of The Cube Private House
Design Interview about The Cube Private House
Conceptual idea was to explore the architectural relation between solid and void through addition and subtraction within a cube, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor. Floor plan design is based on 2 shifted masses creating an internal atrium (includes air conditioning system which will help to enjoy the garden experience throughout the year) and 2 external courts in the front and rear inspired from traditional houses. Shifting direction was chosen based on 2 aspects; Cultural and privacy obscuring the south side neighbors view & environmental, creating more natural ventilation & providing needed shade to the front yard. Regarding the inspiration, the two imposing stone walls that were inspired by ancient temples creating an approach with the moat like bridge to the house main entrance. The central black metal screen design was inspired by an Islamic pattern and external courts were inspired from Arabic traditional houses.
My main focus while designing this project was to create a quality living experience and redefine the image of a residential building in Kuwait while maintaining the climate requirements and privacy needs dictated by the Arab culture.
This Project is a private residence for one of our clients in Kuwait and was commissioned by him.
We are going to hire sub-contractors to assist us in constructing the building
I wanted to redefine the image of residential buildings in Kuwait. Most residential buildings in this region are typical and not up to the level of decent design standards.
Architect. Ahmed Albaghli
The name was inspired from the design concept as the massing was based on addition and subtraction within a cube.
Free hand sketching, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Archicad & 3ds Max
I think the idea itself is the most unique aspect of this design, by creating this relation between the internal & External Gardens, Bridge Entrance, the 2 Main Walls and the Cube framing.
Yes. The Design team was as following:
Design Director: Ahmed Habib, Assistant Design Architect: Sveva Salimbene, Assistant Design Architect: Mostafa Al Haj, Assistant Technical Architect: Anya Petrova, 3D Visualization: Oleksandr Bakhmatskyi and Presentation Graphics: Ahmed Guoshy
Design Director: Ahmed Habib, Assistant Design Architect: Sveva Salimbene, Assistant Design Architect: Mostafa Al Haj, Assistant Technical Architect: Anya Petrova, 3D Visualization: Oleksandr Bakhmatskyi and Presentation Graphics: Ahmed Guoshy
Technology is playing an important role when it comes to the construction of this design. The Curtain Wall system, the in/out pool with hydraulic platform, the laser Cutting Steel Screen and many more other design elements are based on building construction technology.
The Cube house Research abstract was as following:
1- Data Collection Research
2- Cultural & Social Research
3- Design Direction Research (Mood board)
4- Technical Research
5- Environmental Research
6- Landscape Research
7- Presentation Graphics Research
1- Data Collection Research
2- Cultural & Social Research
3- Design Direction Research (Mood board)
4- Technical Research
5- Environmental Research
6- Landscape Research
7- Presentation Graphics Research
I faced more than one challenge during the process of designing this project, for example:
1-The client requested several separate entrances with a high solid boundary wall where the plot is only accessible from the front.
2-Based on the data collection the Architectural design direction was very challenging It was a mixture of Modern & Luxury design with traditional accents using natural materials.
3-Height limitation, Setbacks & maximum Built up area was dictated by Kuwait Architecture Regulations.
1-The client requested several separate entrances with a high solid boundary wall where the plot is only accessible from the front.
2-Based on the data collection the Architectural design direction was very challenging It was a mixture of Modern & Luxury design with traditional accents using natural materials.
3-Height limitation, Setbacks & maximum Built up area was dictated by Kuwait Architecture Regulations.
When I design any project, I always try to focus on learning new technical things as much as possible, but on this particular project I learned that creating a good team with a positive spirit is extremely important.