ARC554

Architecture in Hot Arid Zone

Architecture in the Hot Arid Zone of

" Kuwait "
Presented by:
Presented to:
Kholoud Mamdouh -51910155
Dr. Ame El Adawy
Basma Ali - 51910306
Arch. Hadeel Mahmoud
Doha emam -52010052
 List of Contents
Regional analyses:

1. Boundaries of the country and the city with north arrow. ……………………………………………………1
2. Background on the country, introducing that there are hot arid zones there………………………………..1

City analyses:

1. Background on the city, introducing that it is in the hot arid zone………………………………………..….2

2. Climate analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………….4-3
3. Biological characteristics………………………………………………………………………………………...6-5
4. Cultural context: local customs, traditions, and construction materials……………………………………..7

Architecture:

1. Background on the architectural style/s……………………………………………………………………….8

2. Background approach/es on the architectural design………………………………………………………...8
3. Notable architects………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Regional Analyses

City selection: Background on the Kuwait:

Asia

Location and geography:

• Kuwait is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula

and is bordered by Iraq to the north and west, and the Kingdom of
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia to the south, and overlooks the Arabian Gulf to the east.
country
• The State of Kuwait extends in a semi-arid region in the northeastern
part of the Arabian Peninsula.
• Its area is 17,818 km2, and it is surrounded by 9 islands, the largest
of which is Bubiyan Island.

Landforms:

• Kuwait has a desert climate. In the summer, the weather is long, hot,
Kuwait dry, and dusty, and sand-laden winds blow throughout the year, and
city in the winter, Kuwait is colder than the rest of the Gulf countries
• Meadows and pastures cover only 8% of the total area, while other
parts are considered barren lands.
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Introduction )Kuwait City(
▪ Kuwait, city and national capital, eastern Kuwait.

▪ The city lies on the southern shore of Kuwait Bay of the

Persian Gulf.

▪ It consists of a few areas: Al-Sharq, Al-Qibla, Al-Salihiyah, Al-

Raqaba and Dasman.

▪ Before the oil discovery, Kuwait was one of the most important
trade stations in India on the trade caravan route between the
West and the West.

▪ It has a developed international airport that connects it to the

capitals of the world, so the trade and transportation needs of
Kuwait City are met from the points of Shuwaikh Port and Al-
Ahmadi Port.

▪ Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water

harbor and 90% of Kuwait's population lives within its coast.

▪ The city of Kuwait is located within the cities and suburbs of

the Capital Governorate. The study area is located between
two latitudes (30 '21 ° 29 'and 30 °' 29 °) north of the equator
and between longitude (30 '57 ° 47 'and 20' 0 ° 48) east of
Greenwich, and the city has a unique location on the
southern part of the coast of Kuwait bay

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Kuwait City Climate analysis :
• Climate in Kuwait City
• The Summers Are Long, Sweltering, Arid, And Clear.
• The Winters Are Cool, Dry, And Mostly Clear.
• It Is Windy Year Round.
• Over The Course Of The Year, The Temperature Typically Varies
From 47°f To 115°f And Is Rarely Below 39°f Or Above 119°f.
• The Best Times Of Year To Visit Kuwait City For Hot-weather
Activities Are From Early April To Mid May And From Late
September To Early November.

• Average High and Low Temperature in Kuwait City

• The hot season lasts for 4.1 months, from May 21 to
September 24, with an average daily high temperature above
105°F.
• The hottest month of the year in Kuwait City is July, with an
average high of 114°F and low of 88°F.

• The cool season lasts for 3.3 months, from November 25 to

March 4, with an average daily high temperature below 75°F.
• The coldest month of the year in Kuwait City is January, with an
average low of 47°F and high of 65°F.

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Kuwait City Climate analysis :
Rainfall
Rain falls throughout the year in Kuwait City. The month with the
most rain in Kuwait City is January, with an average rainfall of 0.5
inches.

The month with the least rain in Kuwait City is June, with an
average rainfall of 0.0 inches.

Humidity The muggier period of the year lasts for 4.3 months, from July 14 to
November 23, during which time the comfort level is muggy,
oppressive, or miserable at least 5% of the time. The month with
the most muggy days in Kuwait City is October, with 5.2 days that
are muggy or worse.

The month with the fewest muggy days in Kuwait City is February,
with 0.0 days that are muggy or worse.

Wind

The windier part of the year lasts for 2.5 months, from May 30 to
August 15, with average wind speeds of more than 11.1 miles per
hour. The windiest month of the year in Kuwait City is June, with an
average hourly wind speed of 12.7 miles per hour.

The calmer time of year lasts for 9.5 months, from August 15 to
May 30. The calmest month of the year in Kuwait City is October,
with an average hourly wind speed of 8.9 miles per hour.

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Biological Characteristics
1.Animals
Mammals
Reptiles • Name: Caracal
• Name: arabian sand boa • Scientific name: Caracal caracal
• Scientific name: eryx jayakari • It has long legs and a short face, as well as a sandy coat.This cat
• It spends the day buried in the sand, and emerges at night, as species is exclusively nocturnal and highly secretive and alert,
it is adapted to the cold night temperatures in the desert; it which is why it is particularly difficult to observe.
almost only feeds on reptiles such as geckos and lizards.
Mammals
Mammals
• Name: Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
• Name: Striped hyena • Scientific name: Sousa chinensis
• Scientific name: Hyaena hyaena • is a species of dolphin living in coastal waters of the Indian and
• The striped hyena is a species of hyena native to the Middle the Pacific Oceans.This dolphin lives in small groups of fewer
East, the Caucasus, East Africa, Central Asia, and the Indian than 10 members. Sadly, this dolphin is listed as vulnerable to
subcontinent. extinction and has to face myriads of threats, the most
important of them being water and plastic pollution.
birds
Mammals
• Name: Crab plover
• Name: Fennec fox
• Scientific name: Dromas ardeola
• Scientific name: Vulpes zerda
• As its name suggests, it mostly feeds on crabs, but also on some
• The fennec fox is a small species of fox native to the deserts of other small animals.This bird usually stays in large groups of up
North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.with its unusually large to 1,500 pairs, and nests in burrows on sandy banks.
ears, which are used for thermoregulation.

Mammals
• Name: Desert hedgehog
• Scientific name: Paraechinus aethiopicus
• Females give birth to up to 6 young, usually in a concealed
nest or burrow, after a gestation of about 30 to 40 days.This
hedgehog, thanks to its wide distribution, large numbers, and
tolerance to habitat changes, is listed as least concern.
Mammals
• Name: Saudi gazelle
• Scientific name: Gazella saudiya
• This deer is rare and in decline due to overhunting. It inhabits
sandy and gravel plains, where acacia trees abound, from
Kuwait to Yemen.
birds
• Name: Short-toed snake eagle
• Scientific name: Circaetus gallicus
• It is a medium-sized species of bird of prey that belongs to the
same family as kites, hawks, and buzzards. This eagle's diet
consists mostly of snakes, as its name suggests, but it also feeds
on lizards and small mammals such as rabbits and hamsters as
well as insects.
Lizards
• Name: Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard
• Scientific name: Uromastyx aegyptia
• They have long been exploited by locals, especially for their
meat, which is a good alternative source of protein, and their
ideal hides due to their tough skin. This lizard is considered
vulnerable to extinction due to over-harvesting and habitat loss.

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Biological Characteristics
2.plants
Golden pothos(Epipremnum aureum)
• it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light
conditions.
• Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should
be kept away from pets and children.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
• is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native
to Central and South America that produces a
large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato.
Aloe vera) Aloe vera(
• Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent .
• The thick leaves are filled with gooey flesh that
stores water for survival in its native desert
territories.
Madagascar periwinkle) Catharanthus roseus(
• is an evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant.
• many cultivars have been developed, most
commonly with the aim of incorporating new
colors or making the plant more tolerant to cold.
Chinese hibiscus) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis(
• Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree.
• Its fragrant flowers are well known the world
over, leading to many cultivated variants.
Sweet basil) Ocimum basilicum(
• It is a popular houseplant, and thrives when it
receives plenty of regular sun and water.
• This plant is also easy to transfer from one soil
environment to another.
Common fig) Ficus carica(
• is a deciduous small tree or shrub widely known for its
sweet, chewy fruits. This shrubby plant has a very, very
long cultivation history.
Lucky bamboo) Dracaena sanderiana(
• It’s a type of tropical water lily that is thought to bring
good luck and prosperity to the home or office.
London rocket (Sisymbrium irio)
• can grow up to 91 cm tall.
• The yellow flowers are small with four petals.
• The leaves, seeds, and flowers of this plant are
all edible.
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)
• is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub
native to tropical Africa.
• Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn
leaves grow on top of a thick cane.
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culture context
Local customs and traditionals
• Islamic design: The architectural structure in Kuwait was
influenced by traditional Islamic design.

• These customs include the use of domes, arches, and Islamic

motifs in design.

• Climate and Environment: Materials and construction methods

are chosen based on the surrounding climate and environment.
For example, thermal insulators are used to control high
temperatures in summer.

construction materials

Stone and clay: In the past, stone and clay were the main materials
used in construction in Kuwait. Stone provides durability and
sustainability, while clay helps regulate temperatures inside
buildings.

Concrete and Steel: In modern times, concrete and steel have

become more popular. Concrete provides design flexibility and rapid
construction, while steel provides strength and sustainability.

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Architecture Style In Kuwait
• Kuwait City's architecture historically reflected its traditional
and Islamic character, particularly up until the late 1960s.

• Buildings used clay and stone, abundant materials in the region,

with features like inner courtyards for ventilation and privacy,
reflecting Islamic architectural principles.

• Modern buildings in Kuwait City blend Islamic architecture with

concrete and glass, challenging climate adaptation.

• Architects incorporate sustainable design principles like

insulation and shading to mitigate the impact of modern
• Al Badr House, Old • Al Hamra Tower,
materials on the local climate
Islamic style Modern Islamic style

Design Approach in Kuwait

• Theme
Modern buildings often share the same characteristic of being
sustainable and climate-friendly. This is reflected in features such
as small openings, air parks, and proper building orientation.

• Scheme
The geometric shape of buildings in Kuwait is designed to create
thermal comfort inside the building, where small openings such as
the wind building are designed with small windows and
distributed indiscriminately, also take from the Islamic style

• wind building
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Notable architect’s

I love working permanently on the edge

between imagination and reality.
“Jorn Utzon”

National Assembly Building in Kuwait Jorn Utzon

• Danish architect renowned for his imaginative, dynamic designs,

notably the Sydney Opera House in Sydney.
• After visiting several Arab cities, he was impressed by the Islamic
style and designed the National Assembly Building in 1978 in
Islamic style, drawing inspiration from the Arab tent and Kuwaiti
hospitality.

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