白色城堡丨TAEP,AAP

TAEP/AAP has updated the traditional architecture of the Northern Gulf with a cylindrical house surrounded by towering walls in Al Khiran, Kuwait. Designed in 2023, White Fortress contrasts its arid surroundings with an interior filled with spacious rooms, views of the Gulf Sea, and various oval-shaped patios and gardens. A rooftop tower acts as a “seacoast lighthouse”, framing sandy vistas.

Retangular Enclave

The White Fortress incorporates the attributes of privacy and discretion of northern Gulf architecture, with high, thick walls surrounding the structure. These walls offer protection from Kuwait’s harsh climate and arid surroundings, while enclosing the serene and inviting interior.

The housing program is arranged on the first floor, organized around courtyards within a rectangular walled enclave. The courtyards and glazed façades complement the traditional composition of the house in its main social area. Each courtyard has a different function, offering a diversity of experiences – spaces to greet, rest and celebrate. This careful design provides a perfect connection between the interior and exterior.

Central oasis

A central green “oasis” divides the service areas from the private and social spaces. The interior is made up of generously proportioned rooms that open onto several oval patios and small green gardens. Connected by non-linear paths, these elements create a harmonious living environment.

An axial circulation corridor crosses the successive gardens and patios, leading from the main entrance to the private family spaces. This design element creates a rhythmic play of depth and shadow, enhancing the living experience.

The White Fortress also embraces the views of the Gulf Sea, framing the horizontality of the seascape with an open, semi-covered paved space. It establishes a dialog with the surrounding sand dunes and vegetation. The house extends to the private beach, perfectly linking the interior space with its main social room. This connection creates a fluid relationship between the social spaces of the house and the natural beach front.

Farol da Costa do Mar

At the heart of the central “oasis”, a tall cylindrical volume catches the eye, reminiscent of a coastal lighthouse. Rising upwards, this space is dedicated to solitude and meditation, providing a calm environment for serenity and contemplation.

From this tower, you can access the roof, which becomes a space for contemplative strolling, offering panoramic views over the gardens of the house, the dunes and the infinite horizon of the sea. This striking feature underlines the overall project’s commitment to providing an immersive and tranquil living environment on the Al Khiran coast.