Search: “design highlight”

White Fortress is a chalet located in Al Khiran and was designed by the local architects TAEP/AAP. I previously posted about two other chalets they designed and this one caught my interest because of the lighthouse-like structure that towers over the compound.

The architects designed the White Fortress with privacy and discretion as the main priorities of the project. The space is surrounded by tall, thick walls that offer protection from the harsh climate and arid surroundings, while providing a serene and inviting interior. The enclosure contains a series of patios and gardens, each assigned a distinct role, such as greeting, resting, or celebrating, to provide a variety of experiences.

Within the center of this “oasis,” a tall lighthouse-like structure creates a place for meditation and seclusion while providing endless panoramic views of the house gardens, the dunes, and the sea. The roof is also accessible from the tower, transforming into a contemplative walking space with an endless horizon view of the sea.

At first I wasn’t too sure about having the walls so high on both sides of the compound, but with neighbors popping up next door eventually, I think I can see the appeal of a fortress like structure. To see more work photos of this project, click here.

Pantone recently announced its Color of the Year—Mocha Mousse, a warm brown hue. Personally, I’m over brown and beige, which is why I love the new Matchbox eatery.

Matchbox just opened a new location at Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Cultural Centre (JACC) and it’s visually everything I want a place to look like, just full of color and packed with details. You’ve probably noticed from my recent design highlights that I’m over minimal design and far more into places like this, which feel cozier and more visually interesting.

The new Matchbox was collaborative effort put together between the Matchbox team and Studio Nama. The design was executed by Creative International and the photos were taken by Mohammad Ashkanani.

I love it. For more photos, click here.

The restaurant Select just opened its new location at The Avenues, designed by the Turkish-based studio Gulmen Interiors.

Gulmen wanted to evoke the charm of classic theater stages with their design. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported, forgetting the time and place. They blended Art Nouveau lines, plush velvet fabrics, distressed wood panels, and bold colors, to create a cinematic dining experience.

The style isn’t what I typically go for, but that’s what I love about it—it’s different. If you want to check it out in person, the new Select is located in the Grand Avenues, right next to the Cheesecake Factory. To check out more interior shots, click here.

Although I mostly highlight villas and commercial spaces as part of my design highlight series, the AB Penthouse is a rare instance where an apartment stands out for its beautiful design.

Perched atop a building in Salmiya, the AB Penthouse was completed earlier this year, boasting a 320m² area and its own private pool. This stunning penthouse was designed by the local architecture and interior design studio fortytwelve, the same team behind the stylish Ode Eatery.

The space has a lot of beautiful moments but I think my favorite has to be the walk-in closet with the large window that overlooks the sea (pictured above). Check out all the photos from this project on the fortytwelve website.

Photos were taken by @mashkanani

I’m a fan of minimal design, but I also appreciate spaces rich with complexity and decoration. Title’s third location at The Warehouse Mall was crafted by local design studio Lines, the same creative team behind the restaurants OFK and Piatti.

The mix of patterns, textures, and bold colors gives the space a surreal feel. The photos make the restaurant look like a set from a stop-motion film. According to Lines, their aim was to showcase a timeless design by combining elements from various cultures around the world, creating a unique and creative style. I think it worked.

If you want to see more photos of this Title location, or more of Lines work, head over to @lineskw

There are two parts to this design highlight, the first is the interior which was done by Studio Nesef, the second is the beautiful ceramic dinnerware and accessories which were produced by From Mud.

This is Tatami’s third location and my favorite design wise. The first thing that catches your attention is the large suspended Moon light pendant surrounded by intricate wooden joinery I’m assuming is inspired by the Japanese cidori system. The space is minimal but the use of natural materials like wood and rough stone help give the space a bit of warmth.

For the dinnerware and table accessories, Tatami commissioned the local ceramic design studio From Mud to create them (Full disclosure: the owner is my wife). All the items were hand built with a sculptural approach to tableware that was inspired by Japanese elements. For example, the table centre pieces are composed of three organic branch-like vases that intertwine, and are inspired by Japanese floral arrangements. The cutlery rests replicate the softness of rice cakes (mochi), while the taco and napkin holders were inspired by ‘Ma,’ the concept of highlighting the negative space around an object.

The new Tatami is located in The Gardens area of The Avenues. It’s a bit hidden only because you need to get off the main Phase 4 corridor and go up the escalators to get to the area. But, some of my favorite restaurants in The Avenues are located there including Midar and Em Sherif Cafe.

To check out more photos of Tatami by Studio Nesef, check this link. If you want to check Tatami out, their instagram is @tatamirestaurant

This might be one of my favorite projects so far in Kuwait. Inspired by Kuwait’s traditional courtyard houses, the Zen Villa features a deliberate minimalist design intended to envelop residents in a panoramic view of surrounding palm trees and horse barns. It was designed by the local award winning firm Fikrr Architects, and is located in Wafra.

Each room in the Zen Villa was designed with expansive windows spanning the full width of the walls, connecting the family with the surrounding nature.The interior palette and materials were influenced by the surrounding landscape, echoing the desert through hues of yellow, beige, and green. This approach harmonizes the villa with its environment, infusing it with the warmth and tranquility of the natural world outside.

Even the roof was given attention to. By maintaining a clean and uncluttered roof, the architects overcame the challenge of heat impacts that would be generated by heavy equipment such as AC units which could then travel into the center courtyard.

For more  photos of the villa, check out their instagram @fikrr and their website fikrr.com

Photos by @ngphoto.com.pt

Since it’s the month of giving, I decided for this design highlight I’d post about Mariam’s Library, a corporate social responsibility project by local architects, Parallel Studio.

Mariam’s Library was created with the aim of providing enhanced educational opportunities to students situated in the village of Mwanyanya in Zanzibar. The project originated from Parallel’s Studio commitment to giving back to both local and global communities through their Parallel Gives Program.

The library has two main zones, the first is a designated area for reading and study. It was designed similar to a stage so to maximize seating capacity. The second zone is an open space meant for community engagement and group activities. The result is a space that fulfills both practical and aesthetic requirements.

Speaking of aesthetics, when it came to the design of the library, Parallel Studio made sure to balance traditional architectural elements with modern design principles, while still also respecting Zanzibar’s architectural heritage. The materials they used were carefully selected to honor both the environment and local craftsmanship. For example, they used clay bricks in both the exterior and interior since it helps cool down temperatures during the summer season, while the fiber corrugated roofing was installed to allow daylight to filter in and provide ambient lighting.

I love the look of this library and the initiative behind it. Plus, the fact that it took only 34 days from start to finish is impressive. To see more work by Parallel Studio check out their instagram @parallel_studio

Photos by Nassor Othman

This is a simple, but fun and very cute idea. Local design studio Mud Architects were commissioned to design a stall for Doh! at the new food hall in Khiran Mall.

Taking inspiration from the location of the food hall being in a beach town, Mud decided to create a large donut floatie. The design choice was a nod to both the brand’s fun identity, and the coastal vibe of Khiran, creating an eye-catching and engaging presence inside the food hall.

Photos by @mashkanani

Located in Al Masayel area, I actually watched the Mamluki Lancet Mosque being built since it’s just a few houses down the street from my friend’s place. As the mosque was being built we could tell it was going to be something special because nothing about it looked ordinary.

The mosque, designed by the local design studio Babnimnim, is a modern building that draws inspiration from the traditional Mamluki architecture of Islamic Cairo. It incorporates elements like the Islamic dome pendentive ‘Moqarnas,’ whose basic shape results from a 45° rotation of a square around its center.

The interior of the mosque is as visually interesting as the exterior, and because of the way it was designed, there are no pillars in the middle, and instead is a large open space. The interior is minimal and calm, with plenty of day light coming in through the roof.

Mamluki Lancet Mosque isn’t open yet but will be opening soon. Here is the location on Google Maps. For some more photos of this project, click here.

Pixel House was designed by the Kuwait and Madrid based firm AGi Architects. It was completed this year and designed around two main features, privacy and temperature filters.

The garden which looks visually amazing serves as the first barrier to the warm air and the retention of dust. This first thermal filter is followed by the swimming pool which is covered with a perforated slab that will eventually be covered with climbing plants. The living room next to the garden area has openings to the shaded outdoor space, minimizing heat gain caused by solar radiation. Finally the courtyards in the middle act as thermal filters for the interior of the house.

When it comes to privacy, the living and entertaining areas are located in the most public part of the house, near the entrance. On the other hand, the private rooms are tucked away but are still attached to the outside area through gaps, patios and courtyards. The whole facade surrounding the pool also opens and closes for privacy.

For more photos, click here.

Photos by @ngphoto.com.pt

Completed last year, Bridge House is a beautiful multi-family compound that is located in Khiran. It was designed by the architects TAEP, and like their Tent House which I previously posted about, it also has a lot of cozy-looking spaces.

The whole plot features one long covered outdoor communal area that stretches from the rear of the house down to the sea passing through four distinct residential units. The concept behind the design was to prioritize family values of gathering and community which is why the outdoor areas in this weekend beach house becomes the main event.

To check out more photos, click here.

This beautiful chalet is located in Al Khiran and was designed by the architecture firm TAEP/AAP. It’s been completed for awhile now but this weekend it popped up on my news feed and I just loved the design and all the various cozy-looking interior nooks.

The design of the house was inspired by the importance of shade in our desert climate so an oversized roof was designed over two internal units to provide protection from the sun and wind. The roof is also perforated so it could bring daylight into the interior spaces as well as offer views of the sky.

Another cool feature I liked is how open the house is while still being very private. A lot of homes usually have windows facing the main road and neighbors but then stay closed the whole time. The tent house was designed from the get-go to maintain privacy from the main road and neighbors while maximizing openness and transparency to the private beach and garden terraces.

If you want to see more of this house and other cool looking ones designed by the same firm, check out their website.

A few weeks ago I was invited to the opening of a new burger concept opened called Pattie Pattie. My first thought obviously was that we had too many burger joints already, most tasted the same and we really didn’t need any more. But I still went to the opening and although the burger was forgetful, the space wasn’t.

Pattie Pattie has to be one of the coolest-looking burger joints in Kuwait. I love spaces that bring something visually new to Kuwait, places that transport you to another place, there are a few spots that do it really well, Boost and Ovo for example are two that come to mind. Pattie Pattie is another place now that does the same.

The design of Pattie Pattie was created by the local creative studio WEFT and was inspired by the American fast food culture and the iconic mid-century architecture of California.

The design of the building was born from the limitations imposed on that plot of land. The land measured 365m2 but the permit limited the building size to just 5x18m (90m2). The exterior space had no particular restrictions, as long as the vertical structure was 90m2. As a result, WEFT designed a large canopy cutting across the full width of the plot in a dynamic diagonal composition. To further enhance the size of the small restaurant, they raised the plot by 30cm to frame the building and create a larger sense of scale.

Every design element had a reason from the bold colors to the integration of design-driven playful accessories. The result is basically this beautiful vibrant space that has now become a landmark in the neighborhood. If you want to check out the place in person here is the location on Google Maps or click here to see more.

Photos by @mashkanani

When I was studying design in college, one of the yearly annual competitions we’d look forward to was the “50 Books | 50 Covers” competition by AIGA (The American Institute of Graphic Arts). This competition started in 1923 and became an annual staple in the design community so we were always pretty excited to see what covers and books they selected. A couple of days ago, AIGA announced the latest winners for their 50/50 awards, and this year a Kuwaiti designer was one of the winners.

Fahad Al Hunaif won Best Book Design of the Year for his exhibition catalog, “Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility” designed for the Guggenheim Museum. Fahad describes the 256-page book as capturing the concept of duality to align with the exhibition. The stark, black exterior contrasts an interior filled with generous white space and subtle material changes, highlighting the tension between invisibility and hypervisibility.

I’ve been a huge fan of Fahad’s work since back in 2013 when he was still in New York studying at Parsons School of Design. He got his first 15 seconds of fame after @caradelevingne was photographed wearing his profane Cartier parody cap, “Cuntier”. Cara was backstage at a Jeremy Scott Runway Show when the ultra-famous fashion photographer @terryrichardson snapped some pictures of her wearing the cap. The photo went viral and eventually landed Fahad in a bit of trouble after Cartier slapped him with a cease and desist letter. I posted about him back then and you can check that old post out here.

Today, Fahad is a partner at TB.D, a multidisciplinary design studio that has worked on branding projects like Boost, ODE, and RA. You can check them out at tbd.studio or visit AIGA Design to see more winners.