▪ INFORMATION

DATE : 2018 - 2021

STATUS : COMPLETED

LOCATION : NUZHA, KUWAIT

AREA : 110 SQRM

PROGRAM : MICRO-LIVING UNIT

▪ AWARDS & RECOGNITION

1. ARCHITECTURE MASTER PRIZE, 2021 - HONORABLE MENTION - BILBAO, SPAIN

▪ DESCRIPTION

The record breaking micro-living concept of DUPLEX AO, which was constructed on a challenging slim plot that is only 3 meters in width, was designed as a prototype to fill cavities between buildings in the Middle Eastern region, specifically Kuwait, to attentively turn setbacks from wasted spaces into utilized places.

The aim of DAO is to have it provide the required needs to serve a single resident at start, eventually evolving to serve a family of 4. As an economically restrictive development with limited built-up area and extremely tight space, this compact unit came to fruition to give solutions to multiple important questions concerning space efficiency, cost and time effectiveness, as well as energy saving concerns. It consists of two floors which accommodates a reception, a kitchen, a gym space convertible to an en-suite bedroom, an upstairs sky lit office followed by a master bedroom with closet area, vanity and a full bathroom as well as a balcony highlighted with greenery and a back light luscious vertical green wall.

Despite the difficult dimensions, law restrictions, and low economical resources, DAO has successfully triggered unexpected spatial values that provoke rather new forms of sustainable micro living combined with economically viable and energy efficient green solutions which immediately helped in raising awareness in the region regarding those critical environmental matters.