Introduction
The architectural industry in Kuwait has undergone various transformations over the past few decades (Mahgoub, 2004). Following the discovery of oil reserves in the country in 1940, the economic situation took another turn. The first master plan in the country was introduced between 1950 and 1960 following the global economic growth (Mahgoub, 2004). From then on, the country has been experiencing mixed economic progress. All these economic booms and recession have been well captured in various architectural designs in the country. Due to the fact that there were no local architects who were perfectly equal to the task of describing the culture in the country through artworks, foreign architectures had to be hired. The Reima Pietilae and the national assembly building of Kuwait are considered as the most important architectural designs by foreigners in the country. This paper will discuss the important aspects of the national assembly of Kuwait building with respect to the culture and religion of the locals.
The national assembly of Kuwait’s building is located in the Arabian Gulf Street and was designed in 1972 by Jorn Utzon (Carter & Sarvimäki, 2018). The construction process took about 10 years to be completed under the direction of Jan who was the son of Jorn. Max Walt was used to making the structural design of the building. In 1991, the building suffered major damages from Iraqi troops when they were retreating from the country. However, after the troops left the country, the building underwent some renovations and the normal activities resumed. Currently, the building contains major public offices, presentation rooms, one mosque, and a large assembly hall for the legislatures (Carter & Sarvimäki, 2018).
Architectural Drawings
The architectural design of the building contains thin piers that are in support of a concrete roof over a plaza that is open (Langdon, 2019). The dramatic curves of the building are made up of a number of half circle shells which are set of cables made of steel which seem to sweep down from the top of the well-structured columns to the building’s height. The architect claimed that the top of the building which has a cloth-like sensation portrays the traditional tent construction technique of the Bedouin people (Langdon, 2019). When viewed from the Kuwait Bay and in front, the building is forward-looking and inviting and also casts its gaze to the sea and beyond.
The Connection of the Building with the Surroundings
The Kuwait Assembly building is very accurate when reading the story of the country. According to Jorn, there was a need for the building to consider the traditions and norms of the community (Popovska, 2013). He revealed that the building was inspired by a Middle Eastern plan ‘souq’ or a market place. Here, there was a centrally placed avenue or an axis which would form the grid’s spine. Small ‘streets’ radiated from the main axis at 90 degrees. Offices which consisted of various small modules were punctuated using small courtyard. The architect had a greater understanding of the strength that the Kuwait sun has, how the shadow played a significant role in the design and construction of any structure in the country, and how some simple geometric shapes could be repeatedly used to bring another surfaces dimension when the aspect of both the sun and the shadow as put into place. Therefore the building can be said to have brought together an array of influences.
Visual Correspondence between Kuwait national assembly building and its environment
A visit to Iran is what is said to have inspired Utzon in the design of the Kuwait national assembly building. The structure of Isfahan in Iran is what impressed him and made the architect think of designing a building bearing the same structure (Langdon, 2019). The central axis in the assembly is similar to the one found in the bazaar dome-like structures in the town. The design of the building is very similar to traditional Islamic domes that has no windows. There are no windows installed in the chambers used for debate in the building, instead, there are some lights, though indirect which are provided to the cafeteria, the library, and the corridors. The indirect skylights are provided through the half barrel vaults which are seen on top of the roof. To add on that, the Kuwait national assembly building was also inspired by the structure of a tree. The truck of the tree can be compared to the central way which is about 10m wide and 130 long. To add on that, the stairs and the corridors of the complex can be seen as the branches of the tree. On the overall, the whole complex occupies about 180 meters squared.
The national assembly building of Kuwait can be said to be clearly describing the statement of Kenneth Frampton. The statement is “how to become modern and to return to sources; how to revive an old, dormant civilization and take part in universal civilization” Basically, this is achieved by combining both political and architectural ideas which portray the modern industrialized world. When viewed from a political point of view, the building reveals the existing tension between the foreign and the domestic. This has always been one of the major concerns in the country as it has a high rate of immigration. On the other hand, when viewed as an architectural object, the building goes through the philosophy of western governance and the historical tradition of the country. However, a combination of these two aspects could as well be looked like a weakness of the building. Additionally, it could also be perceived as a successful combination of both the architectural and the political meaning on a singular form.
Innovative Architecture
The most amazing aspect of the building is the extent of innovation deployed as well as the receptive material used in construction and decoration. The architect had the ability to make the roof the building look like billow in the air (Langdon, 2019. This creates an aspect of how it is delicate despite being very rigid following the support of multiple concrete pillars supporting it. The Roof’s texture is enhanced by the use of dual parabolic geometry where some sections individually curve vertically upwards at 9 degrees to the whole’s curve. Although the roof of the building is about 600 tons, the designed deployed in the construction makes it weightless.
Quality of the Interior Space, Landscape, and the Technical Solutions
The ground floor of the building contains the offices for HH the Amir, HH the crown, and the employees of the parliament secretariat, a chamber for holding ceremonies, a library, a cafeteria, a number of separate meeting rooms, and the restrooms. There are four major entrances in the building, two of which are located in northern and the southern wings of the building. The officials and the esteemed guests get in into the building through the southern wing.
Architectural designs play a significant role in portraying the social, economic, and political life of the local community. These Architectural artworks are not only use the artists but also the national heritage of a country. In the construction of the important building in a country like the national assembly, it is important for the artist to consider the culture of the community where it is based. The national assembly building of Kuwait carries culture as well as the political perception in the country. A visit to Iran is what is believed to have played a s significant role in the design of the complex. For example, the debating chamber of the building has no windows, this is similar to dooms in Iran.
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