TKF Vol 7 by PAD10

the Kulture Files

Tête-à-tête

Urban Canvas with el Seed interview by Naji Moujaes

/ GTA

De la barre à l’îlot by Naji Moujaes

Urban Doodles

Speculative Architecture

Adaptable Housing

AHP-1 Beirut by PAD

AHP-2 Berlin by PAD10

Critical Infographic Essay

Kuwait Mnemonics by PAD

Geneology of a Family Dwelling in Kuwait by PAD

Events Listing

Instagram . Twitter @thekulturefiles

Vol. 07 April 2022

Vol. 07 April 22, 2022

Editor’s Note

The first issue after Covid-19, where the world will not make sense unless some sort of leadership steps up to enact a global force majeur; some sort of a marshall plan… Otherwise, Ukraine and Russia will not be able to absorb all the blame repressed within 2 years of global curfew. The world is rebooting and while some countries cut the line, others may decide to lay low or may be forced to pay a premium, if able, to skip the queue wait. The supply chain is being congested as all are anxious to catch up with the lag, thinking that it will add up with the same old measures. It won’t! The slowness resulting from Covid-19 has on the other end expedited the unmasking of some prejudices and fears, whereby the past model has lagging and, at times, irrelevant measures to new realities. While humanity may be stepped on, excluded, and censored, our cities will stand tall, in all ugliness or beauty, as testament to our decisions! With housing being the major facet of any functioning city, the underlying policies in this regard shape the latter on the long and short runs. Beirut and Kuwait fail to enable the majority of those who live in their cities to own in them, thus leading to animosity in one and cheapness in the other; carelessness at best! PAD explores the power of Architecture in setting a participatory framework for private initiatives to enable city dwellers to live in the cities they work on rather than commute and grow rather than move. A

through study is applied on prototype 1 (AHP-1) in Beirut and another application on prototype 2 (AHP2) in Berlin.Adaptable Housing; two prototypes, one in Beirut and another in Berlin. In this issue, we feature urban doodles, in 3 acts, as a way out from the vicious cycle of reproducing the tabula rasa precursor of the modern blocks, by carpet-bombing. This is the first issue where PADx (x being 10 in Latin) has opened in Paris and PAD7 was restored and resumed operations after its destruction with Beirut port explosion. With the 3 PAD’s operating in unison, across multiple cultures, we re-publish a past interview with el Seed, who was recently featured in Time Magazine and, whose calligraffiti traverses multiple cultures and identities. El Seed’s works cross cultures and media to blur the seemingly thick boundaries between east and west, and graffiti and calligraphy. Also, we re-publish two past researches PAD10 conducted on Kuwait: Kuwait mnemonics, shedding light on past architectural modern productions, notwithstanding the risk of voluntary forgetfulness, and a genealogy of the family dwelling in Kuwait over the past century. With the 3 PAD’s, we look forward to building bridges between France, Kuwait, and Beirut with and for clients and consultants alike!

of Arabic language. Bringing calligraphy into graffiti became a natural way of expressing myself. My artistic approach is the fruit of my social conditions, my roots, and the choice of my parents to move from Tunisia to France. I was inspired by the proverbial tradition, as it was at the time, of the ‘Mu’alaqqat Assab’a’ and started writing messages. Using two parts of identity and mixing them with the right balance. - What is your present state of mind?

Tête-à-tête Urban Canvas with

el Seed

interview by Naji Moujaes

Make sure your dreams are big enough so you don’t lose them when you chase after them.

- As tools, are you inclined more to use those for graffiti or for calligraphy? Does this get affected when working on canvas rather than a plastered wall, in what ways?

I started with western graffiti. I’ve never learned Arabic calligraphy as it is known in the Arab world with all the rules and conditions. When I discovered Arabic calligraphy in 2004 I instantly fell in love with it, but I didn’t find any teacher. Then, I started to reproduce old classical calligraphy and gradually, without noticing, added my own touch to it. Later, I knew that there were all those rules to it. Today, I don’t want to learn them.

- Your idea of Happiness?

Being in peace with yourself.

- Your favourite heroes in fiction?

Spider-Man.

- Your idea of misery?

Not being loved.

- Your favourite poets?

Mahmoud Darwish.

el Seed at Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

- What role does the city play in your work of art

mix of Proustian and specific questions articulate the rich intense world and works of el Seed. - Islamic Calligraphy is a message through art, yet in France where you grew up it may run the risk of gaining a political dimension, considering western islamophobia. Graffiti’s counterculture, mixed with politicized calligraphy, demands an assertive hand, a rebellious soul, and a driven artist humanizing all what he touches into familiar poetry. I wish to know which medium appealed to you first and how you reached out into the latter, socially, culturally, and technically?

I’ve always been into art. I got into graffiti and hip hop culture in general at a young age. As a graffiti artist, with the few walls I painted when I was younger, I was just excited by the act of painting in the streets in a large scale. As a teenager, I felt excluded from the ‘French model’ of integration and felt the need to get back to my roots and learn about where I was originally from; about my history, culture and traditions. All that, brought me the study

and do you get to choose your sites nowadays, especially when invited for a commission? If the site is preset, does it pose any limitations to the

- Your favourite composers?

idea of guerilla art in your opinion?

- Calligraffiti elevated graffiti to mainstream art in the relatively conservative Middle East, as it did render calligraphy more accessible and lively. This push and pull within two disciplines into a unique one must have rattled eccentrics within each, yet emerged a new form, set of techniques, and messages. Are you comfortable to identify the new qualities inherent to ‘calligraffiti’, and why is it neither exclusively graffiti nor exclusively calligraphy?

My friends always make fun of me because I don’t look at the city and the urban space like other people. Sometimes when we are driving, I jump with excitement because I see a potential ‘target’. I’ve always chosen where I want to paint. If I am commissioned an artwork, I need to approve the wall as well. I always pick the wall depending on the picture that I can get once the piece is finished. I always want to include the context of the wall. - Where would you like to live?

I would say Jordan even if I’ve never been there. I’ve always wanted to live there. I don’t know why.

Ludovico Einaudi.

I believe calligraffiti is born out of a certain political, social and economical context. It is a hybrid form of art and it is just the reflection of the world we live in; a mix of culture, traditions, origins... - If not yourself, who would you be?

I don’t even want to imagine.

- Your favourite painters?

My daughter and ...the list is really long.

- What characters in history do you most dislike?

Christopher Columbus.

- Your favourite heroes in real life?

My mum and dad.

- Your favourite motto?

Never forget where you come from.

el Seed at l’Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris - France

Urban Doodles with 3 overlays by Naji Moujaes

Leaking the “island” and partly disintegrating the “bar”; somewhere in-between to define and re-define “the/our right to/on the city” Doodle 1

Doodles transforming the once modern housing blocks that sprouted around historical city centers, with no one knowing what to do with their relentless repetitions, subtractive formal rethinking with programmatic reformulating come into play.

Rethink rather than carpet-bomb! Doodle 2 An overlay on doodle 1, networking in between, to connect the once desolate blocks, and greening what remains, to let nature coexist organically with a nonrepetitive, ever-changing, and co-dependent setting. Doodle 3 A third layer, with playgrounds shaped by the surrounding and however inhabitants would like to play, meandrous paths in the forest, and people to play, walk, cycle, horseride, sit, perform, watch, etc. before they go back in to live, work, and carry on with their indoor private lives.

““De l’îlot à la barre” is one of my favorite references that condemns the fatal rise of urban Modernism, its relentless standardization and the subsequent death of the urban fabric. Philippe Panerai describes it in his book “Formes urbaines de l’ilot a la barre” as the “désintégration de l’îlot”, and your 3 doodles come in to tell an opposite story that praises the “désintégration de la barre” and the recovery of a city model that evolves around people. Simply a brilliant reverse of trend!” via Facebook comment

Bachir Moujaes, Urban Planner Doodle 3

Doodle

Doodle 2

HOUSING DILEMMA Housing Dilemma in Lebanon IN LEBANON In Lebanon, the problems of Housing trickled socioeconomical ones: • Brain Drain • Wealth Disparity • Urban Degradation This led to stagnating GDP and rentier economy. The lack of public-will to address the “Right to Adequate Housing”, as declared by the OHCR/UN-Habitat, whereby “adequate housing was recognized as part of the right to an adequate standard of living in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”. The Lebanese government’s failure to handle the aforementioned in a fair manner as investor, policy maker, or regulator exacerbated the problem which was further polarized by exogenic factors (regional wars and international crises).

Housing Dilemma in Lebanon

ADAPTABLE HOUSING BEIRUT

In Lebanon, the problems of Housing trickled socio30% GDP per capita growth in last 40 years vs. 120% world average 8% in last 7 years vs. 14% world average economical ones: The country’s debt remains the third highest at 170% of its GDP (after Greece and Japan) • Brain Drain Lebanese GDP per capita is $13,000 (after taxes) while Lebanese working • Wealth Disparity abroad average is around $30,000 (after taxes). • Urban Degradation This led to stagnating GDP and rentier economy. The lack of public-will to address the “Right to Adequate Housing”, as declared by the OHCR/UN-Habitat, whereby “adequate housing was recognized as part of the right to an adequate standard of living in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”. The Lebanese government’s failure to handle the aforementioned in a fair manner as investor, policy maker, or regulator exacerbated the problem which was further polarized by exogenic factors (regional wars and international crises).

WEALTH DISPARITY/ Wealth Disparity/ RENTIER Rentier Economy ECONOMY Wealth Economy 1% Disparity/ Rentier 10%

Population Population Population Population

BRAIN DRAIN

Brain Drain

In Lebanon, we have: • The highest Lebanese diaspora per capita outside estimated at anywhere from 8.globally 6 millionand direalso ct e m igranthe ts tohighest 14 millper ion dcapita escenpopulation dants of emofigrefugees rants” in the “It has the largest diaspora population hosts world. Both the large number of emigrants – estimated at anywhere from 8.6 million direct emigrants to 14 million descendants of emigrants”

23,000-43,000 University graduates annually

21.8% upper-secondary graduates

36.1% University graduates

On average, expenditure on housing represents one third of Lebanese households’ total annual expenditure, although this ranged from 26% for wealthier households On aveto ra4g7e% , exfor pehouseholds nditure on with housintotal g repannual resentsincome one thirbelow d 6 of Lebamillion nese hLBP. ouseIthoisldalso s’ the case total anthat nuasmaller l expendhouseholds iture, although this relatively ranged from spend more of their 26% for wealthier households total expenditure on housing. to 47% for households with total annual income below 6 million LBP. It is also the case that smaller households spend relatively more of their total expenditure on housing.

Population 10% Wealth Population Wealth

50% Wealth 50% Population Wealth Population

11,000-15,000 New jobs annually “Approximately 50% of the active workforce operates within the hazy boundaries of the informal sector, for which nor reliable data exists”

UnemplU oynedmployed

“Youth unemployment, estimated at 37%, is much higher than unemployment in the US at the height of the Great Depression of 1929.”

Brain Drain With no safety net (social security) and high housing

In Lebanon, we have: expenses, youth tends to look abroad for better • The highest Lebanese diaspora per capita outside opportunities and a more stable future

URBAN DEGRADATION Urbanistically

“It has the largest diaspora population globally and also hosts the highest per capita population of refugees in the world. Both the large number of emigrants – estimated at anywhere from 8.6 million direct emigrants to 14 million descendants of emigrants”

23,000-43,000 University graduates annually

21.8% upper-secondary graduates

36.1% University graduates

11,000-15,000 New jobs annually “Approximately 50% of the active workforce operates within the hazy boundaries of the informal sector, for which nor reliable data exists”

U n e m pl oy e d

“Youth unemployment, estimated at 37%, is much higher than unemployment in the US at the height of the Great Depression of 1929.”

Still, with the strong bond back home, many end up buying Brain homes Drainto use seasonally, “� �� ”

In Lebanon, we have: • The highest non-Lebanese refugees per capita inside

While ad-hoc slum housing tends to cater to the under-privileged, the capital influx with the more privileged ones ends up destabilizing the livelihoods of the locals.

messy

The urban mess is symptomatic and an implication of other failures, mostly in the residential sector, which constitutes more than two-thirds of the city’s urban fabric

Infrastructurally

Brain Drain Brain Drain In Lebanon, we have:

• The In Lebanon, wehighest have: non-Lebanese refugees per capita inside. • The highest non-Lebanese refugees per capita inside. While ad-hoc slum housing tends to cater to While ad-hocthe slum under-privileged, housing tends cater to thetocapital influx with the the under-privileged, more privileged ones ends the capital influx with the the up destabilizing more privileged ones ends livelihoods of the locals up destabilizing the livelihoods of the locals

…Lebanon is a refuge, rather than a magnet …Lebanon is a refuge, rather than a magnet

Traffic jam night & day

Less than 5% of those who work in the city walk to work; all else drive! With traffic jam, average speed ranges between 10-30kph, increasing trip time by 50-70%, accruing $2billion in losses yearly (5% of country’s GDP). Lebanese spend >16% of their productive time commuting. It is ranked 124/138 in terms of roads quality as per 2016-17 competitiveness Index of the World Economic F o r u m.

Why Housing? • • •

WHY HOUSING?

25% of the Lebanese Population pay into it one third of their incomes on average for living. Real Estate and construction contribute 21% of the GDP and 12% towards employment. (Remember? Lebanon’s GDP grew 30% over the last 40 years vs. 120% world average)

Residential buildings constitute the lion share, accounting for 82% of total construction permits.

Why Housing? • • •

25% of the Lebanese Population pay into it one third of their incomes on average for living. Real Estate and construction contribute 21% of the GDP an d 12 % t o w ar d s em p l o ym en t . (Remember? Lebanon’s GDP grew 30% over the last 40 years vs. 120% world average)

Residential buildings constitute the lion share, accounting for 82% of total construction permits.

Why Housing? • • •

typologically

Social Housing

While social housing has been generally stigmatized with high crime rates and rundown buildings, few managed to strike a balance to create sustainable policies (Singapore, Austria, etc.). In Lebanon, with a “weak state” and high level of “Corruption - CPI”, among other ailments, betting on the government to play its vital role to dignify living is a lost hope. Unless there is leadership with a vision and a feeling of ownership to the residents, into the implemented public housing program, alternative private initiatives must be proposed for the well-being of the city and its people.

GOVERNMENT’S “DRUNKEN DRIVER Government’s “Drunken Driver Policy” POLICY”

Government’s “Drunken Driver Policy”

Residential buildings constitute the lion share, accounting for 82% of total construction permits.

Rent Control on rental agreements prior to July 1992 (Laws 58/1965, 118/1977, 160/1992)

Government’s “Drunken Driver Policy”

WHY HOUSING IN THE CITY?

Why Housing in the City?

• From 60% in 1970, to 84% in 1990’s, to 87.91% in 2018, urbanization in Lebanon far exceeds world average of 55%. • Buyers are willing to pay 75% more than the lowest demanded price per sqm for a smaller property just to live in the center of the city. This is because of the governmental, entertainment and academic institutions that have a strong presence in the city. • •

•

Rent increase as per market rates every 3 years for agreements signed after July 1992 (Law 159/1992)

Empty luxury apartment in Lebanon are valued at ~9 USD Bn, mainly in luxury developments; i.e. ~17K empty units (23% of purchased apartments are vacant in Beirut, bought for investment purposes by the well-off living abroad. Other estimates put the vacancy rate at 11.9 percent, or approximately 13,868 vacant apartments out of a total of 116,438 in only Beirut administrative district.)

Shortage in affordable apartments is by ~12K units for low-income housing

Government’s “Drunken Driver Policy”

>> Complete Imbalance between supply and demand, wrecking livelihoods and the environment! The city lost its role from cherishing livelihoods of its people to become a bargaining chip for the speculators.

Why Housing in the City? • From 60% in 1970, to 84% in 1990’s, to 87.91% in 2018, urbanization in Lebanon far exceeds world average of 55%. • Buyers are willing to pay 75% more than the lowest demanded price per sqm for a smaller property just to live in the center of the city. This is because of the governmental, entertainment and academic institutions that have a strong presence in the city. • •

•

In April 2014, Phasing out rent control on old contracts by government initially chipping in and gradually pulling out to escalate rent from old rent control amount to market rate amount

Shortage in affordable apartments is by ~12K units for low-income housing

>> Complete Imbalance between supply and demand, wrecking livelihoods and the environment! The city lost its role from cherishing livelihoods of its people to becoming a bargaining chip for the speculators.

Where Are We Now?

The Lebanese government(s) developed a state of mutual animosity and distrust between tenant and landlord due to its divisive policies, swaying in between mutually exclusive outcomes, rather than balancing a common good In conclusion, the government tapped into the pocket of landlords for more than 5 decades, 19401992 to maintain “affordability” to the tenant, then created a cut-off line by 1992 where new rents from there on were deregulated and adjusted to the developers’ liking based on demand, to lastly deregulate all gradually from 2014 onwards. This “drunken driver policy” of swaying from one extreme to the other, add to it the current banking and currency meltdown and the inability of the government to bridge any gap, it is yet to be seen what maneuver it will do and whose pocket it will tap into to patch up its way around!

1) Animosity between landlords/developers and tenants. 2) Disbelief in rental market, due to the governments flip-flopping. 3) A housing market disinterested with its own population’s purchasing power. 4) Unregulated developments and developers with one credo: make a killing, irrespective on whose expense it is! 5) Overstock of luxury apartments and under-supply of affordable ones. 6) Stoppage of affordable housing loans by BDL. 7) Brain drain with the exodus of Lebanese youth, mostly university graduates and young professionals. 8) A crippled superstructure, with one third of the residential buildings under rent-control and another third vacant or seasonally occupied by Lebanese diaspora and foreigners, mostly Arabs from the Gulf. 9) Traffic Congestion and crippling infrastructure.

O wn

Range of affordable areas in the city

with ADAPTABLE HOUSING Architecture has the capacity to kneel down and pick up any median-wage earner, who works in the city, enabling him/her to

O wn

Own

live, own, and grow in it!

Why Adaptable?

why adaptable? •

The apartment module starts from what is affordable by median wage earners, who work in the city to own and live in it. By the right to live, but more so to own, they will belong and grow an asset to lean on in the absence of any safety net by the government.

•

Still, with a growing family and aspiration, the apartment module has the architectural capability to extend and grow (vertically or horizontally).

•

Adaptability gives a jumping pad to own, rather than rent, and to grow, rather than move.

Modus Operandi modus operandi

Understand Current Market: • Check ongoing market rate within this area. • Set the area (sqm) of the basic unit, where it is acceptable size for living and affordable to get a loan on, noting its qualification with given median wage. • Benchmark basic allowable area to other architectural precedents. Identifying Catchment Area: • Create a radius of 1.5km around the perimeter of a hospital / university, say AUB/AUH and/or St George Hospital/ Balamand University. • Field survey by walking around and scouting for plots, with the following features: • Relatively small, yet buildable as per building code, knowing that this can be amended once the viability of such projects is proven fit for Beirut. • Vacant or empty structures. • Locate potential plots on cadastral map, to: • Get copies of deeds from the Beirut Municipality. • Get applicable regulatory laws to the land. • Touch base with landowners to see their willingness to partake in such development. Adaptable Housing Prototype 1 (AHP1): • Start the architectural study, setting the following interplay between two components: • Common services/ areas: • Structural framework • Stacked shafts (circulation, wet areas, service) • Circulation core • Livable units: • With a basic studio as primary module • Its scalability (vertically and/or horizontally) to 2 and 3 modules. This will accommodate housing up to a median family size of 4. • Due to the limited size of the plot, parking (1 car per basic module) will be accessed via car elevator. • Ground Floor will have a commercial program that is of benefit to the community’s streetlife. • The roof will provide a collective outdoor space to the apartment owners.

•

Preliminary architectural drawings and renderings will be completed for presentation and marketing purposes to potential investors and landowner(s). • Based on the design outcome, a cashflow will be simulated with multiple scenarios. • Setup meetings with key investors, adjacent institutions, and the landlord. Decide and finalize a strategy for construction and cashflows, considering potential risks. • Hire a team, as later defined, including an accountant and an auditing office. • Setup a website for the project to receive and review applications to qualify candidates, giving priority to the following: • Couples, with median salaries earned, working in the city within a walkable distance. • Professionals working in the institutions close by. • Abovementioned residents, with intent to have this as their primary residence; inability to sell before 5 years. • Commitment by abovementioned to adhere to coop-regulations, where the “right to dwell” and “right to grow or shrink”, by adding or shedding shares, as internally regulated. • Once all stakeholders are identified and committed, Project development to start. Scalability & Sustainability (AHP n): • Once AHP1 starts construction, study to start on AHP2, similar to the above, yet noting the following: • Applicants, who did not qualify due to capacity only and are within the walkable catchment area, will be given priority. • Shares of an owner in AHP1 are transferrable to any AHPn with a factor commensurate to the value difference between the different projects. • Transfer requests are also given priority, especially for growth purposes, in case this was not possible within the current AHP.

Own… To Grow

... then Grow

Benchmarking with Precedents Benchmarwith kingmodern with Precedents Benchmarking housing precedents

Loan to Earned Median Wage in The City

• Gauge accessible loans, for median wages earned in the city, to Areas (sqm) as per market rate.

Loan to Earned Median Wage in The City loan to earned median wage in the city

Seaside Chalets in Lebanon ... … and&seaside chalets in Lebanon

• Gauge accessible loans, for median wages earned in the city, to Areas (sqm) as per market rate.

• Check demographic median wage within the walkable catchment area. • Check ongoing market rate within this area. • Set the area (sqm) of the basic unit, where it is acceptable size for living and affordable to get a loan on, noting its qualification with given median wage.

Price/Sqm in Different Price/sqm in different areas inAreas the cityin The City • Check demographic median wage within the walkable catchment area. • Check ongoing market rate within this area. • Set the area (sqm) of the basic unit, where it is acceptable size for living and affordable to get a loan on, noting its qualification with given median wage.

AHP 1 – Rmeil 831

Adaptable Housing Prototype 1 (AHP 1) Adaptable Housing Prototype 1 (AHP 1 1) AHP-1 ADAPTABLE HOUSING PROTOTYPE Walkable Catchment Area – St George Hospital Walkable Catchment Area – St George Hospital Rmeil 831

THE DATA PRESENTED IS BASED ON A STUDY DONE IN 2015.

Loan to Sqm in Different Loan to sqm in different areas inAreas the cityin The City

Rmeil Ashrafieh Mdawwar Catchment Area Adjacent to St George Hospital Rmeil Ashrafieh Mdawwar Catchment Area Adjacent to St George Hospital Identifying Catchment Area: • Create a radius of 1.5km around the hospital say Ideperimeter ntifying Caof tcahm ent Are/auniversity, : and/orofSt George Hospital/ • AUB/AUH Create a radius 1.5km around the Balamand University. perimeter of a hospital / university, say • Field survey by walking around and scouting AUB/AUH and/or St George Hospital/ for plots, with the following features: Balamand University. • Relatively small, yet buildable perscouting building Field survey by walking aroundasand code, knowing that this canfeatures: be amended for plots, with the following the viability of such projects is proven • once Relatively small, yet buildable as per buildingfit code, knowing that this can be amended once the viability of such projects is proven fit

• • • •

for Beirut. Vacant or empty structures. Locate potential plots on cadastral map, to: for Beirut. Vacant or empty structures. Locate potential plots on cadastral map, to:

AHP 1 – Rmeil 831

Facing St. George Hospital

• Locate potential plots on cadastral map, to: • Get copies of deeds from the Beirut Municipality. • Get applicable regulatory laws to the land. • Touch base with landowners to see their willingness to partake in such development.

Faci

HP 31 1 –AHP Rme1il –83 R1meil 831AHP 1 – Rmeil 831 Facing St. George Hospital

Facing St. George Hospital Facing St. George Hospital

AHP 1 – Rmeil 831

Facing St. George Hospital

AHP-1

PRIVACY : PUBLICNESS

1 – Rm eil 831

PRIVACY : PUBLICNESS

STRUCTURE ELEMENTS

ELEMENTS

WET CORES

SERVICE SHAFTS

VERTICAL CORE VERTICAL CONTINUITIES

Facing St. George Hospital

OW N

G RO W H O RIZ O N T AL L Y

GROW VERTICALLY – LOWER FLOOR

GROW VERTICALLY – UPPER FLOOR

GROW VERTICALLY & HORIZONTALLY – LOWER FLOOR

GROW VERTICALLY & HORIZONTALLY – UPPER FLOOR

ADAPTABLE HOUSING: MOVABLE INFILLS

G RO U N D F L O O R – P U B L IC

BASEMENTS 1 TO 3 - PARKING

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

What Then? What then?

Adaptable Housing is not an eradication plan but a mitigation one on social and urban levels, to point few: • Traffic mitigation, by bringing people closer to where they work, thus reducing commute time and enriching pedestrian street life (walkability) • Social empowerment, by giving middle-income young couples the right to own in the city. By waiving rent and enabling ownership, even if for a foothold as a start • Neighborhoods empowerment, with ability to grow within, people do not need to relocate to expand ensuring mixedincome housing Adaptable Housing is a private sector initiative for the sustenance of its own livelihood. Unlike Social Housing, it is independent of the public sector as enabler. While the latter can act as a catalyst to incentivize vested protagonists, the study will highlight these potentials, yet will not count on them due to historical track record of the government.

Market – Keyout! Competitors Veer downView or veer From rent controls

1970s 150sqm Multiple rent controls, civil war, regional capital inflow with bank secrecy laws and Palestinian refugees capital

to sell luxury

1990s 300sqm With multiple rent control laws and after end of war, focus was to lure in Arab investors and Lebanese diaspora

to refuge capital

2 009 300sqm September 11, Iraqi invasion, Financial crash, all diverted capital to Lebanon from foreign lands and foreigners, all the way to the Syrian conflict

to local affordability

2 017 182sqm Financial engineering, Lebanese politics entangled with Syrian/regional conflicts, Turkey and Dubai as regional alternative for real estate investments refocused the market on local needs; at last!

Market Competitors Developers - especially after the war ended, our currency was pegged, and the heart of the City was privatized under eminent domain - had their eyes glazed overseas, where the capital inflow per sqm was much higher than the 90% city dwellers. The latter were commuting everyday to a city that goes dark at night, as those who can afford living in it are abroad! So far, the developers are still off with their guesses on how much city dwellers can afford and they are timid (or ill-informed) about housing areas in urban settings. approx.30sqm M a r k e t Sha r e The project is tapping onto small-plots, that are usually on standby, awaiting merger. It offers an

Income Distribution: Stairhouse (Treppenhaus) couples individual expression with collective living. The oblique individual façades mask the Germany’s A list of studies showing the income distrib external stairs that zap, skip or stop, among domestic parts to weave multi-scale living; from concise studios to extended type of user the project targets. deluxe living. There is “liveliness” to the architectural proposal in its ability to adapt to city-dwellers’ changing needs and capabilities, on the inside, without compromising their individual aspiration to express themselves on the outside. The multi-scale living enables the city dweller to “own” in the city and then “grow” in it… and in times of covid may shrink, split, or merge… within it, without the need to part ways with it, as such architectural-adaptability sustains urbanneighborliness! Stairhouse is an adaptable housing prototype enabling the young generation (singles or couples) to own in the city and later on negotiate their way around to grow in it! City dwellers spendSECOND on shelter as high as 50% of their incomes in Berlin. FIRST FLOOR LEVEL FIRST FLOOR LEVEL FLOOR LEVEL SECOND FLOOR LEVEL To counter gentrification and the frivolous rise in rental prices, Stairhouse enables its dwellers to own, rather than rent, STAIRHOUSE and grow from within, STRUCTURAL FRAME than move out! shows that the most of the German Stairhouse is anrather aggregate of singular domestic parts that span from what is affordable, toStudies population is between the Mid-High Classe Architecture has the3.70 power to kneel down and pick up any city dweller, who works in the city, enabling her/him to own rather than rent, to what is aspirational, to grow rather than move. live, own, and grow in it. 4

3.70

744

16 13 13

5000 5000 5000

16 16

5000 5000 5000

1077

ARCHITECT ARCHITECT LOCATION LOCATION BUILDING AREABUILDING AREA PROJECT YEARPROJECT YEAR 11 UNITS NUMBER OF UNITS NUMBER OF

AHP-2 Berlin

5000

Germany’s Income Distribution: 19 16 16 19 19 A list of studies showing the income distribution among the German citizens in order to understand better the type of user the project targets. 5000 5000 Classes Distribution in Germany

ng the

Income

Unit Distribution: Building can be easily rolled out to increase the capacity of housing stock, and is minimal in itsINCOME use of land and materials. (€)

Design should target

Share as %

7,500+Euro

2,600+Euro

1,100+Euro

Design should target

Middle

Higher Class

High

*According to GFK Demographics 2011

bling her/him to 13

5000

ertical paces hens, vered s, etc. 1077

500 500 500

1188

2500 2500 2500

5000

Middle Class

Lower Class

1250 1250 1250

3.70 5000

3750 3750 3750

1250 1250 1250

5000 10

1188

3750 3750 3750

5000

1250 1250 1250

3750 3750

5000

EXTENDED LIVING

5000

2 4

2500

3750

1250

3750

LEVEL

Area for taget BERLIN HOUSING user is: 6500€-7000€/sqm 20m2

Family 25%

Couples 25%

11 11

2500 2500 2500

5000

2500 2500

13 13

2500 2500

5000

MEZANINE FLOORMEZANINE LEVEL FLOOR LEVEL

GROUND FLOOR LEVEL GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

MEZANINE FLOOR LEVEL MEZANINE FLOOR LEVEL

1250

3750

1250

3750

1250

3750

2500

Age Groups

2500

1250 A

3D VIEW

2500

GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

2500

Under 15 -14% 15 to 25 - 9% 25 to 45 - 32% 45 to 65 - 26% Over 65 - 19%

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL

3D VIEW GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

MEZANINE FLOOR LEVEL

21% of the pop is foreign-b

3F- BEDROOM

55% of the population 49% male - 51 is younger than 45

THIRD FLOOR LEVEL 2

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL

1250

3750

Largest City in Germany 3.7 million population

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL

6000 3

3F- BEDROOM ROOF GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

2F- LIVING ROOM 2F- LIVING ROOM

MEZANINE FLOOR LEVEL

3F- BEDROOM

2F- LIVING ROOM

1F - DINING

GF - PARKING

ROOF 1F - DINING

5m 5m

SECTION

3F- BEDROOM GF - PARKING 0

ELEVATIONELEVATION ELEVATION

2F- LIVING ROOM

STAIRHOUSE

26% Couples

The private entrance, on the street level, and the oblique façade, enclosing SECTION the stairs, individuate on the outside an otherwise collective negotiable living on the inside. The oblique (stair) Single-User facade reflects the individuality of each €€€ €€€€ 50% owner presenting her/his own unique 3700 2600 customization of the stair skin/mask. Income

Monthly Net household Income in Germany:

Monthly Net household income

Share as %

7,500+Euro

up to under €1,100 €1,100 to under €1,500 €1,500 to under €2,000 €2,000Median to under €2,600 Wage €2,600 to under €4,000 €4,000 to under €7,500 €7,500 and higher

14.1 11.8 14.4 14.5 23.2 18.7 3.4

€€€€€

Median Wage

2,600+Euro

€€ 1850 Source: GIK Demographics 2011 © GIK GeoMarketing

1,100+Euro

650

Couples Area for taget user is: 32-40m2

5200

925

Middle

Higher Class

High

*According to GFK Demographics 2011

Middle Class

1,820 Lower Class

CUSTOM STAIRS DESIGN Unit Distribution:

Building can be easily rolled out to increase the capacity of housing stock, and is minimal in its use of land and materials.

Family 25%

Couples 25%

ELEVATION

Single-User 50%

Unit Per Users:

DORMS WITH COLLECTIVE PRO

Class

210,500 328,000 560,000 COLLECTIVE BACK / HORIZONTAL LINK Families

sqm

23Area for taget user is: 43-60m2

sqm

Use of communal bathroom & kitchen

55% of the population 49% male - 51% female is younger than 45

Side-by-side cooking, dining, living, Couples Families Single Professionals and sleeping allow for extended and/or 80 CORRIDOR 86 46 50 30 programs 32 shared within typology, sqm sqm sqmthis sqm sqm sqm CORRIDOR enabling horizontal collectivity on the CORRIDOR rear, versus diagonal connectivity on the front. All stairs lead on top to LAP POOL/CORRIDOR 72 57a collective 102 pass-through corridor forsqm sqm sqm dip in the infinity lap-pool. Topping the 4-storey stairhouse, are a series of Added Bathroom varied-storey dormitories that align the project’s height with its surrounding skyline. Horizontal corridors connect the dorms to the “get-together” polyvalent programs at the ends and along the cores of the building. Area for taget user is: 20m2

Area for taget user is: 32-40m2

Area for taget user is: 43-60m2

COMMUNAL SPACES

Age Groups

SMALL STUDIO UNIT

DORM UNIT 21% of the population is foreign-born

Communal spaces are the nodes of the project. They are either located at the vertical circulation or at the end of the buildings. It is where collective spaces hosting common activities take place; common kitchens, dining areas, multipurpose areas, outdoor covered spaces, stepping landscape terraces, etc. 1 BEDROOM 2 BEDROOM 2 BEDROOM DELUXE

LARGE STUDIO UNIT

APARTMENT

Location: 52°30’32.09”N 1

Location: 52°30’32.09”N 13°25’35.74”E Street: Köpenicker Strabe, Bona-Peiser-Weg

1. Herr N and Frau X have 2 car spots, kitchen with terrace, extended living space (merging 2 modules) and 2 bedrooms above. It is for a family of 4; two executive working parents with their two kids. The NX family have been ends and along the living in Mitt for decades where the parents met in University and started cated at the vertical working in the same e collective spaces neighborhood directly after common kitchens, s, outdoor covered the fall of the Berlin Wall; cape terraces, etc. they managed to grow in the building from a studio apartment to a 2-bedroom Location: 52°30’32.09”N 13°25’35.74”E deluxe apartment. They 2. Frau M is an art teacher know the neighborhood and a gifted up and coming artist. She transformed her like the back of their hands wet area kitchen/ bathroom to a bathing open space. and their kids feel home Additionally, she has her bedroom to qualify her inside and outside. needs to a studio living.

3. Herr K is a fresh graduate, who comes from a well-off foreign family. During college, his dad bought shares in the Stairhouse coop for his son to live in its dorms, close to college. After graduating, Herr K swapped his shares and upgraded to a studio in Mitt Stairhouse, steps away from his new workplace. There was no rent lost on college dormitories, yet his dad built him an asset that he can keep growing after graduation.

2. Frau M is an art teacher and a gifted up and coming artist. She transformed her wet area kitchen/ bathroom to a bathing open space. Additionally, she has her bedroom to qualify her needs to a studio living. Her home is her relaxing sanctuary and the city is her playground. From time to time, whenever she feels like cooking, she drops by the dormitories communal kitchen to share recipes and enjoy her Saturday afternoons.

NELEVATION ELEVATION

2500 2500 2500

5000

2500

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL

GROUND FLOOR LEVEL GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

2500 2500

Under 15 -14% 15 to 25 - 9% 25 to 45 - 32% 45 to 65 - 26% Over 65 - 19%

2500 2500 2500

6000

2500 2500 2500

5000

6000

6000 6000

13 10 10

2500

5000

1188

Low

Affordable housing should Target the Lower, as well as the middle classes of German public.

13 13

2500 2500 2500

1250

GROUND FLOOR LEVEL

5m SECTION

Largest City in Germany 3.7 million population

5000

1077

MEZANINE FLOOR MEZANINE LEVEL FLOOR LEVEL

6000

855

Germany’s Income Distribution: A list of studies showing the income distribution among the German citizens in to understand better the GF order - PARKING type of user the project targets. Classes Distribution in 5m Germany

150,000

sqm

LEVEL 8

5m 0 SECTION

744

UNIT SPECIFICATIONS ROOF ROOF

SECTION

2500

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL FIRST FLOOR LEVEL 3750

3750

SECTION

THIRD FLOOR LEVEL

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL SECOND FLOOR LEVEL

UNIT SPECIFICATIONS A

2500

EXTENDED LIVING

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL SECOND FLOOR LEVEL

522

1250 1250

5000

12 12

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL EXTENDED LIVINGEXTENDED LIVING

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL FIRST FLOOR LEVEL

11 11

EXTENDED BEDROOMEXTENDED BEDROOM

6000

5.90 B

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL 0

1299

1F - DINING

TOTAL VALUE (€)

Class

Single Professionals

5000

23% Families INDIVIDUAL FRONT/ STAIRHOUSE

462

Low

11 11

2500 2500

5000

EXTENDED BEDROOM EXTENDED BEDROOM C

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL FIRST FLOOR LEVEL

5000

13 10 10

2500 2500 2500

6000

5000 7

C5000 C

5000

C 3.70

6000

5.90

6000 6000

3.70

ARCHITECT 5.90 LOCATION BUILDING AREA PROJECT A YEARA 11 A AOF UNITS NUMBER 11 6000

5.90

LOAN €/M OVER 20Y

Pie Chart Net household Income.

Studies shows that the most of the German 19 population is between the Mid-High Classes.

3450

5.90

966

6000

3.70 FRAME 3.70C FRAME C STRUCTURAL STRUCTURAL

1250 3750 3750 3750 STRUCTURAL FRAME

5000

855

6000

5000 4

633

6000

3750

522

51% Singles

Unit Per Users:

Source: GIK Demographics 2011 © GIK GeoMarketing

wn in the city and r incomes in Berlin. rather than rent,

3450

PLANS OF THE STAIRHOUSE 311

STRUCTURAL STRUCTURAL FRAME FRAME

5m 0 SECTION

SECTION

DEMOGRAPHICS PEOPLE LIVING IN THE CITY

14.1 11.8 14.4 14.5 23.2 18.7 3.4

Design should targ

BUILDING AREA 0 1250 1 1250 3750 3750 2500 2500 0 1 2 2 4 2 42 C 3750 1250 3750 2500 2500 PROJECT YEAR C 1250C C C GROUND FLOOR LEVEL 11 GROUND FLOOR LEVEL NUMBER OF UNITS

up to under €1,100 €1,100 to under €1,500 €1,500 to under €2,000 €2,000 to under €2,600 €2,600 to under €4,000 €4,000 to under €7,500 €7,500 and higher

1,1

Source: GIK Demographics 2011 © GIK GeoMarketing

5000

LOCATION UNIT SPECIFICATIONS UNIT SPECIFICATIONS

Monthly Net household income

2,6

STAIRHOUSE 5.90

ARCHITECT UNIT SPECIFICATIONS UNIT SPECIFICATIONS

Monthly Net household Income in Germany:

7,5

14.1 11.8 14.4 14.5 23.2 18.7 3.4

Low

PROJECT YEAR PROJECT YEAR 11OF UNITS NUMBER OF UNITSNUMBER

5000 5000 5000

Share as %

up to under €1,100 €1,100 to under €1,500 €1,500 to under €2,000 €2,000 to under €2,600 €2,600 to under €4,000 €4,000 to under €7,500 €7,500 and higher

High

ARCHITECT ARCHITECT LOCATION LOCATION BUILDING AREA BUILDING AREA ARCHITECT ARCHITECT PROJECT YEARPROJECT YEAR LOCATION LOCATION 11UNITS NUMBER OF UNITS NUMBER OF BUILDING AREA BUILDING AREA

16 13 13

5000 5000

Monthly Net household Income in Germany:

Monthly Net household income

STAIRHOUSE STAIRHOUSE

5000 5000 5000

19 19

5000 5000 5000

Pie Chart Net household Income.

STAIRHOUSE STAIRHOUSE

13 10 10

19 16 16

5000 5000 5000

Middle

Stairhousing (Treppenhaus) couples individual expression (stairhouse) with collective living. The oblique individual SPECIFICATIONS façades mask the external stairs that zap, UNIT skipSPECIFICATIONS orUNIT stop, among domestic parts to weave multi-scale living; from concise studios to extended deluxe living. There is “liveliness” to the architectural proposal in its ability to adapt to city-dwellers’ changing needs and capabilities, on the inside, without compromising their individual aspiration to express themselves on the outside. The multi-scale living enables the city dweller to “own” in the city and then “grow” in it… and in times of covid may shrink, split, or merge… within it, without the need to part ways with it, as such architectural-adaptability sustains urban neighborliness!

l façades mask the studios to extended hanging needs and the outside. The covid may shrink, stains urban-

16 13 13

5000 5000 5000

3450

STAIR-HOUSING

13 10 10

5000

5000 5000

6000

5.90

13 10 10

5000 5000 5000

6000

5.90

1077

5000

3450

3.70

4. Live-in couple who have enjoyed sharing their lives with one another for a while now, decided to take the plunge and co-owned their 1-bedroom apartment. They enjoy cooking together, hosting their friends, and other hedonistic pursuits in and outside their Stairhouse.

5. An immigrant young couple de Stairhouse, seeking 1-bedroom apa proud that their house is centrally family name on their own private SPA do COLLECTIVE While they aspire to On expand one d the intersectio a 2-bedroom apartment, to accom growing family, they are fond of the ne ethno-demographic mix; they already 1. Herr N and Frau X have 2 car spots, kitchen with terrace, extended living space (merging 2 modules) and 2 bedrooms above. It is for a family of 4; two executive working parents with their two kids. The NX family have been living in Mitt for decades where the parents met in University and started working in the same neighborhood directly after the fall of the Berlin Wall; they managed to grow in the building from a studio apartment to a 2-bedroom deluxe apartment. They know the neighborhood like the back of their hands and their kids feel home inside and outside.

1 Labour Union (H 5 Co-working offic SHOP NAME

SHOP NAME

SITE PLAN

SHOP NAME

A Bringing the rive

C Expanding the co SHOP NAME

SHOP NAME

Street: Köpenicker Strabe, Bona-Peiser-Weg

District / City: Mitte Area: 8,700m2

3. Herr K is a fresh graduate, who 4. Live-in couple who have enjoyed sharing comes from a well-off foreign their lives with one another for a while now, SHOP NAME family. During college, his dad decided to take the plunge and co-owned bought shares in the Stairhouse their 1-bedroom apartment. They enjoy coop for his son to live in its cooking together, hosting their friends, and dorms, close to college. After other hedonistic pursuits in and outside their graduating, Herr K swapped his Stairhouse. shares and upgraded to a studio in Mitt Stairhouse, steps away from his new workplace. There was no rent lost on college dormitories, yet his dad built him an asset that he can keep growing after graduation. INFOMATION

Her home is her relaxing sanctuary and the city is her playground. From time to time, whenever she feels like cooking, she drops by the dormitories communal kitchen to share recipes and enjoy her Saturday afternoons.

Relation w Surroundings: Offices, Universities and Residential Prevailing building heights: Usually 7 stories (24m - 36m)

5. An immigrant young couple decided to settle in Stairhouse, seeking 1-bedroom apartment. They feel proud that their house is centrally located with their family name on their own private door, like back home. While they aspire to expand one day and grow into a 2-bedroom apartment, to accommodate for their growing family, they are fond of the neighborhood and its ethno-demographic mix; they already feel home!

6. Roommates co-owned shares in Stairhouse and decided to: transform the kitchen to a bathing area with their living and sleeping areas functioning as 2 separate studios for live-work, giving them the privacy they may seek at times and the opportunity to gettogether whenever they feel like it.

7. A professionally established couple, with no kids, decide to have 1-bedroom apartment.

8. A professionally established couple, with no kids, decide to have 2-bedroom apartment, transforming one to a work-in office.

DORMS

SHOP NAME

While the Stairho The chosen site i and brings in the heights of the sur stair house+3 flo

5 STAIRHOUSE

SHOP NAME

2. Frau and a g artist. wet are to a b Additio bedroo needs Her ho sanctu her pla to time like co the do kitchen and e afterno

District / City: Mitte Area: 8,700m2

SHOP NAME

9. A jetsetter executive who needs a sleeping/ hosting pad in the city due to proximity to his work in the city, yet he commutes often due to work and pleasure. He decided to invest in a

STAIRHOUSE IN A CONTEXT

DORMS WITH COLLECTIVE PROGRAMS

STAIRHOUSE

1 Labo 5 Co-w

PARK

LAP POOL

SITE

SHOPPING CENTER

COMMON SPACES

A Brin

C Expa

CUSTOM STAIR DESIGN

Relation w Surroundings: Offices, Universities and Residential Prevailing building heights: Usually 7 stories (24m - 36m) 6. Roommates co-owned shares in Stairhouse and decided to: transform the kitchen to a bathing area with their living and sleeping areas functioning as 2 separate studios for live-work, giving them the privacy they may seek at times and the opportunity to gettogether whenever they feel like it.

ecided to settle in artment. They feel located with their oor, like back home. day and grow into mmodate for their eighborhood and its y feel home!

7. A professionally established couple, with no kids, decide to have 1-bedroom apartment.

8. A professionally established couple, with no kids, decide to have 2-bedroom apartment, transforming one to a work-in office.

DORMS STAIRHOUSE

9. A jetsetter executive who needs a sleeping/ hosting pad in the city due to proximity to his work in the city, yet he commutes often due to work and pleasure. He decided to invest in a parking, kitchen/bathroom and a living with sofabed.

While t The cho and bri heights stair ho

KUWAIT MNEMONICS

PROJECTS INDEX

900s Pre-1 RS

OTHE 19 00

US JP GB

IQ Wo 191 rld Wa r 4191 I 8

IR G.C.C M.E

fir s t car Minv in K erv u w a 19 ait 12

Cultu re P e to M arls com arke t 191 e 6

1920

Red Line Agreement 1928

1930 t Oil Firs or t Exp 6 194

Oil ery of Discov 1938

n Depressio 3 1929-193

n Depressio 7 1930-193

Ahm

Six Day War 1967

adi

MP 1K itted 2 bm 195

plan ster 947 1

ian stin Pale xodus E 8 194

Treaty uwaiti Anglo-K 1899-1961

The Great

1940 r II Wa 5 rld Wo - 194 9 193

0 Ag

la Re

lla

ns tio

5 19

t en 1 em 5 re 19

ali

m 1st Al Em Sa ir b 19 ah 61 S

aba

n ga Be 951 1

h Al

1 Develo KMP pmen t 1967

Sali 2nd E mA m l Sa ir bah 196 5

2KMP Submitted 1970

OAPEC Formed 1968

19 6

O Fo PEC rm 19 ed 60

OTHERS US JP GB

Rest of World United States of America Japan Great Britian

Kuwait

IQ IR G.C.C M.E

Iraq Iran Gulf Cooperation Council Middle East

Oil Embargo 1967

1970

KEY LEGEND AND ABBREVIATIONS

1965

001 -Amricani Hospital 002 -Ahmadi Master Plan 003 -US Embassy 004 -1KMP - First Kuwait Master Plan 005 -Rumaithiya Block 006 -Municipality Building 007 -Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development 008 -Kuwait University Khaldiya Campus 009 -Al Andulus Residential Complex 010 -2KMP - Second Kuwait Master Plan 011 -Kuwait Zoo 012 -Kuwait University Housing 013 -Souk Al Manakh 014 -Souk Safat 015 -Souk Kabeer 016 -Souk Kuwait 017 -Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs 018 -Pearl Marzouq Complex 019 -Central Bank of Kuwait 020 -Sawaber 021 -Joint Banking Towers 022 -Kuwait Towers 023 -Hilton Housing Project / Masaleh 024 -Ministries Complex 025 -Souk Gold 026 -Souk Wataniya 027 -Jazeera Center 028 -Kuwait Airport 029 -Al Ahli Bank 030 -Kuwait Insitute for Scientific Research 031 -Nogra South Complex 032 -Kuwait Water Towers 033 -Four Kuwait Residences 034 -Kuwait News Agency 035 -Kuwait City Waterfront Development / Green Island 036 -Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science 037 -Zahra Complex 038 -Kuwait National Museum 039 -Souk Al Watya 040 -Awqaf Commercial Complex 041 -Kuwait Bus Station 042 -Muthanna Complex 043 -Rihab Complex 044 -Residential Complex 045 -Ministry of Justice 046 -Masjid Al Kabir 047 -Kuwait Stock Exchange 048 -Kuwait National Assembly 049 -Nogra North Complex 050 -Public Authority for Civil Information 051 -Wafra Blue Tower 052 -Kuwait Liberation Tower 053 -Wafra Green Tower 054 -Embassy of India 055 -Arab Organization Headquarters 056 -Fresh Food Souks 057 -Wafra Breeze 058 -Souq Sharq and Waterfront 059 -Sheikha Complex 060 -National Chamber of Commerce and Industry 061 -Souk Al Zal 062 -Scientific Center 063 -Muhallab 064 -Marina Mall 065 -AUK Campus 066 -ACK Campus 067 -Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium 068 -Central Bank of Kuwait 069 -Hamra Tower 070 -Kuwait Metro and National Railroad 071 -360 Mall 072 -Oil Sector Complex 073 -Arraya Tower 074 -3KMP - Third Kuwait Master Plan 075 -Aveunes Mall- Phase I 076 -Kuwait National Library 077 -Jabar Al Ahmad Al Sabah Hospital 078 -Kuwait University New Campus 079 -GUST Campus 080 -Sarah Complex 081 -The Cliffs 082 -Central Agency for Information Technology 083 -Aveunes Mall- Phase II 084 -Amiri Terminal 085 -KIPCO Tower 086 -Kout Mall 087 -Ministry of Education Headquarters Project 088 -Wafra Living 089 -Crystal Tower 090 -Kuwait Airport 091 -Aveunes Mall- Phase III 092 -Salmiya Park - The Boluveard 093 -Gate Mall 094 -Wafra 4th Ring 095 -Al Shaheed Park 096 -Sabah Al Ahmad City Cultural Center 097 -Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center 098 -Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Center 099 - Kuwait University - Student Activities and Athletic Facilites 100 - Kuwait University - Administration Facilities

06 09

07 10

Development Conflict Item Highlighed National Assembly Disbanded

100 85 98

99 86

82 97

83 79 95

81 78 92

77 90

74 80

76 73

201

4 70

A Inter ven merican ti o n in Ira 2014 q -

67 64

68 63

Inv as i 20 on o 0 3- f Ira 20 q 11

b a h A 5th l Em S ab ir 20 ah 09

MP 3K sion e t n 05 Ex 20

2000

r Emi 4th bah l Sa 06 A lim 20 l Sa ad A

56 59 57

Ar Spr ab 201 ing 0-

3KMP Submitted 1997

Persia Gulf W n ar 1990

1995 53

Oil Pri ce Shoc k 1990

se ane ar Leb ivil W 90 C -19 75 19

Ira n 19 -Ira 80 q W -1 a 98 r 8

ian Iran tion u 0 l o v Re 8-198 197

Oil Crisis 1973

M an Cr akh 19 ash 82

Re 2KM vis ion P 19 2 83

1990 49

So uk

P 2KM 1 ion 7 s i v Re 197

ir Em 3rd abah S l 7 A 197 mad

l Ah

ir A

Jab

t Glu Oil 980 1

0 98

1975

is Oil Cris 1973

25 14

pre-1960s Before the discovery of oil, the residents of Kuwait occupied modestly constructed dwellings. The structure and walls were mostly made of locally available mud bricks and rubble stones, while the ceilings were made of mangrove or wood impor ted from East Africa or India. Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) was established in 1934. Serious exploration was delayed until after WWII, before which Kuwait was economically impoverished with the dying pearl industry. In the 1950’s oil exploration began to reflect socially, especially after Sheikh Abdullah struck a deal, namely the 50/50 agreement, whereby the state shares equally KOC’s expor t profits in 1951. This led to the launching of major public works to raise the standard of living.

1960s In 1960, OPEC was formed by Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela to control prices of crude oil.

DWELLING TRADITIONAL

$$$$$

16+

A/C

With the generated profits by KOC, the government’s coordinated effor ts helped cope with the growth by allowing new technologies be acquired to cater for embettering locals’ lives and hosting incoming expats; concrete and aluminum were introduced into the construction boom. Although use of cement star ted in 1912, when brought in barrels by the American Mission for the construction of the Amricani Hospital, its widespread use star ted in the 70’s upon the establishment of Kuwait Cement Company in 1968.

APARTMENT STUDIO

1-2

$$$$$

A/C

In 1961, Kuwait declared independence. An Amiri decree was issued in 19 August 1961 to establish a Foreign Depar tment ministry.

APARTMENT STANDARD

Al-Ahmadi ‘suburb’ was founded in 1946 to cater for KOC staff, implementing new urban ideas and construction methods, using brick-andmor tar.

4-6

1-2

1970s Amidst regional turmoil, with ‘baathism’ coup d’états and Arab-Israeli wars in the 60’s, Kuwait’s prospering economy provided a refuge and a destination to many in the region and around the world. With the influx of labourers and white-collar businessmen and professionals alike from outside, combined with sharp decline in death rates inside due to improved and free medical services, Kuwait witnessed an unprecedented population growth. This resulted in a real-estate boom, where modern apar tment blocks and shanty dwellings swept the deser tscape. This overwhelmed any sustained growth, where the infrastructure and the superstructure took a toll with high demand and lax regulations.

VILLA

SINGLE FAMILY 10+

$$$$$

A/C

DWELLING

1980s

The Kuwait Water Towers APARTMENT (1976), the new Airpor t STUDIO (1977), and the launching of the Parliament (1978) 1-2 were emblematic of a A/C hopeful and prosperous nation that was adamant on asser ting its modernization through avant-garde buildings, designed by internationally renowned architects.

APARTMENT DUPLEX $$$$$

4-6

$$$$$

A/C

In response to the six-day war in 1973, an oil embargo took place from the Arab country members of OPEC, plus Egypt, Syria and Tunisia. The consequences of this singular action led to the price of oil rising from $3 per barrel to nearly $12 in a duration of weeks, affecting the global market worldwide.

VILLA CHALET

STANDARD

4-6

$$$$$

A/C

APARTMENT

SHANTY

1-2

$$$$$

1-2

10+

A/C

2-4

$$$$$

A/C

Sasaki Associates won the water front project in 1982, with a concept providing a stretch of 21 km, from Shuweikh in the west, to Ras al-Ardh in the east, with continuous recreational activities along the main coastal areas. Otherwise, the 80’s brought instability to the door steps of Kuwait. With the Iraq-Iran war (1980), the 1982 Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash, and the mid-1980s drop in oil prices, did not help in bringing forward any grand projects. Still, the housing market maintained a steady growth with an increasing population boom by expatriates.

VILLA

SINGLE FAMILY 10+

$$$$$

A/C

VILLA

ANNEX DWELLING 1-2

A/C

Around 1983 the former Hawalli governorate split into that of the governorates of Farwaniya and Hawalli as two entities primarily aimed towards expatriates’ population.

$$$$$

A/C

Internal social mobility, welfare programs, and an influx of

VILLA

FAMILY BRANCH 16+

2-4

$$$$$

A/C

VILLA

SINGLE FAMILY 10+

2-4

$$$$$

A/C

1952

1967

1KMP - First Kuwait Master Plan Minoprio and Spencely

1970

Municipal development on 1KMP

1952

1952 1967 1970 1952 1952

1952 1967

1977

2KMP - Second Kuwait Master Plan Sir Colin Buchanan and Alan McCulloh

1967 1967 1970 1977 1967

1970 1977 1970 1970 1983

1977 1977 1983 1977

Second redevelopment of 2KMP

1983 1983 1997 1983 2005 027.0 avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1997

1985

expats posed new challenges and oppor tunities, where the automobile and urban planning came hand in hand to modernize city growth along First Kuwait Master plan guidelines.

Population 1,697,300

033.5

Population 1,357,950

New Street, the first paved road in 1930, connected the docks to Safat Square. Reminiscent of the old city, Safat Square was a civic space and an urban node where 3 paths converged from old destinations: westward ran the caravan route to Jahra Village, aka Fahad Al-Salem or Jahra Road, southward to the spring wells of Al Shamieh, aka Shamieh Road or Abdallah AlSalem Street, and cross-town connector, aka the Dasman Road or Ahmad Al-Jaber Street. The Municipality Building (1932), the Law Cour ts (1936), and the Police Station (1940’s) flanked the southern edge of Safat, to contain its openness.

010.5

Population 994,837

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1965 001.6

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1960

Population 261,994

Expatriate Population 154,576

Citizen Population 107,418

PRODUCTION 1,690,000 b/d CONSUMPTION 05.92% 100,000 b/d

Population 467,339

Expatriate

Population 738,662

Population 191,609

Expatriate Population 1,171,140

CONSUMPTION 03.03% 63,470 b/d

Expatriate

CONSUMPTION 02.94% 88,970 b/d

Population 784,610

Expatriate Expatriate

Population 586,954

Population 435,811

Citizen

Population 275,730

Citizen

CONSUMPTION 05.20% 86,200 b/d

PRODUCTION 2,080,000 b/d

PRODUCTION 2,990,000 b/d

PRODUCTION 2,360,000 b/d CONSUMPTION 04.36% 103,950 b/d

PRODUCTION 1,656,000 b/d

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1970 001.4

CONSUMPTION 15.84% 162,340 b/d

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1975 001.2

PRODUCTION 1,023,000 b/d

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel l

1980

Safat Square

FIRST CENSUS TAKEN IN KUWAIT WAS DURING 1957

1983

First redevelopment of 2KMP

Citizen Population 302,851

Citizen Population 407,883

Population 573,340

Citizen Population 525,860

1990s

2000s

On 2nd of August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, APARTMENT STUDIO igniting the Gulf War. With an international coalition, 1-2 suppor ted by internal A/C resistance, Kuwait was freed on 28th of February 1991. New political, economic and social alignments resulted in internal and international restructuring. Amidst economic stagnation, the autonomous villa was expanded to host extended family members and rental tenants; locals and expatriates.

VILLA

RENTABLE WHOLE 8+

$$ $ $ $

APARTMENT

$$$$$

A/C

VILLA

STANDARD

RENTABLE FLOOR

4-6

1-2

$$$ $ $

$$$$ $

A/C

VILLA

1-2

2010s

VILLA CHALET

Kuwait was still in a state of recovery after the Gulf War, tactically progressing and growing as a country. However, once the war on Iraq in 2003 resulted with the downfall of its ruling par ty, Kuwait accelerated its development to match the pace of neighbouring countries. Kuwait witnessed the addition and creation of new governmental facilities, large urban projects, iconic skyscrapers, etc., underwent a revision of the municipality documents, and sought new potential investments with local and foreign par ties.

APARTMENT

10+

STUDIO

The global financial melt down slowed down the pace of growth and development in Kuwait in late 2000’s. The government was criticized for not injecting enough financial suppor t to reinvigorate the stagnating economy.

$$$$ $

A/C 1-2

$$$ $ $

A/C

VILLA

APARTMENT

SINGLE FAMILY

STANDARD

4-6

While unable to keep pace with baby-boomers’ housing demands, the government invested in long-due projects in healthcare, education, and cultural sectors, to compensate for lack of such developments in the past two decades.

$$$$ $

2-4

4-6

A/C

$$$$$

A/C

With the Arab Spring Movement embroiling the region, Kuwait was spared. Inflation, random regulations, and regional instability draw a bleak foresight for developments to come, unless a clear vision shapes up somehow!

VILLA

CHALET

EXTENDED FAMILY 10+

$$$$$

16+

A/C

$ $ $ $ $

A/C

77.4

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

2010

Population 3,065,850

050.9

Population 2,193,650

1997

022.6

1983 1967

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1983 1990

Population 2,060,000

PRODUCTION 1,175,000 b/d

1970

1997

027.6

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

2000

Population 1,941,000

1977 2005

PRODUCTION 2,078,500 b/d

2005

$$$ $ $

4-6

$$$$$

2-4

A/C

2025

Est. Population 4,432,000

APARTMENT STANDARD

4-6

2-4

$$$$ $

A/C

2020

Est. Population 4,015,000

104.8

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

2014

Population 3,406,809

PRODUCTION 2,300,411 b/d

PRODUCTION 2,650,000 b/d CONSUMPTION 18.64% 494,350 b/d

2015

Est. Population 3,404,170

CONSUMPTION 21.13% 486,640 b/d

PRODUCTION 2,529,178 b/d CONSUMPTION 14.75% 373,820 b/d

2005

CONSUMPTION 08.94% 105,990 b/d

016.9

1-2

A/C

2030

Expatriate

First extension of 3KMP

1997

SINGLE FAMILY

STUDIO

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

2005

3KMP - Third Kuwait Master Plan Implemented

VILLA

APARTMENT

2030 1983

2030

Expected development with two new additional ring roads

Population 2,221,809

Expatriate

1997

2005

2030

Population 1,992,800

CONSUMPTION 12.37% 257,270 b/d

avg. U.S. dollars per barrel

1995

Population 1,575,570

PRODUCTION 2,057,411 b/d CONSUMPTION 06.91% 142,040 b/d

Expatriate

Population 1,462,600

Population 1,338,130

LEGEND KEY UNIT SURRONDINGS

Expatriate Citizen

Population 1,067,550

UNIT VARIABLES

Population 929,586

Citizen Population 1,073,050

Citizen Citizen Population 598,000

Expatriate Population 645,984

Population 873,450

Citizen Population 855,520

Population 1,185,000

NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS

NUMBER OF VEHICLES

$$$$$

Public Authority for Civil Information Records U.S Energy Information Adminstration - OPEC Crude Oil Consumption and Production

[03]

Municipality of Kuwait - Master Planning Division

[04]

ARCHnet historical records

[05]

Skyscrapercity online documents

[06]

Logbook Vol. IV Prefab Kuwait National Assembly Jorn Utzon

[07]

Kuwait Arts and Architecture Compiled by Arlene Fullerton and Geza Fehervari

[08]

The Kuwait Urbanization Being an Urbanistic Case-Study of a Developing Country Saba George Shiber

VIEW AVAILABLE

PLUMBING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIGHTING SYSTEM

NO ODOR PRESENT DAYLIGHT AVAILABLE NO / PARTIAL DAYLIGHT

A/C

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACES SWIMMING POOL ELEVATORS

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES [02]

LANDSCAPE / GREENERY

ODOR PRESENT

COST OF LIVING

[01]

NO NOISE / PARTIAL

NO VIEW AVAILABLE

UNIT SIZE (S,M,L,XL)

Citizen

FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS

NOISE PRESENT

B/D Barrels per day

[09]

Kuwait History Heritage Architecture Compiled by National Council for Culture Art and Letters (NCCAL)

[10]

Kuwait Miracle on the Desert David C. Cooke

[11]

Kuwait City Parks Subhi Abdullah Al-Mutawa

[12]

Online records of architectural projects by local and International firms AGi Architects, Al-Jazeera Consultants, Gulf Consult, KEO, Norman Foster partners, PACE, SOM, Wafra Real Estate

[13]

OFFICEus Agenda Edited by Eva Franch i Gilabert, Amanda Reeser Lawrence, Ana Milijacki and Ashley Schafer

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