Prize(s) Winners in Public Building Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company dpa lighting consultants
Lead Designers dpa lighting consultants
Other Designer's names dpa lighting consultants
Architecture Company SOM
Client Kuwait University
Photo Credits Dave Burk © SOM
Other Credits Local Architects/Engineers: Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (PACE)
Artist – Mashrabiya Screens: Farah Behbehani
Completion Date 2022
Project Location Shadadiya, Kuwait
Entry DescriptionThe Kuwait University Administration Facilities in Shadadiya, Kuwait, situated on the northern edge of the Kuwait University campus, is formed of six interconnected buildings conceived as the new campus core.
The impressive mashrabiya screen façades, designed by SOM in collaboration with Artist Farah Behbehani, celebrate the Kuwaiti culture and wrap all façades, providing an architectural narrative and continuity throughout the site. We considered the importance of how this was presented both during the day and at night. During the day, natural daylight render the screens bright and crisp, whilst at night they are transformed into silhouettes exposing the mashrabiya pattern with the internal artificial light.
The stunning central Convocation Hall building, known as “The Pearl”, is flanked by the Library and Administration buildings which are joined to the Cultural Centre, Conference and Exhibition building facilities, and Visitor Centre. All are sat within a grand and ordered landscape stretching to the wider campus.
Our lighting approach aimed to expose and complement the interesting interior and exterior architectural materials, enhancing them visually with light, while also providing functionality and consistency throughout the six buildings.
Sustainability ApproachThe artificial lighting design was thoughtfully considered in conjunction with natural daylight, taking advantage of the building’s ample natural light provided by decorative architectural veils, skylights, and apertures.
Lighting points were chosen to reveal points of interest whilst maintaining an appropriate level of function, rather than lighting a space to achieve a particular lux level.
All lighting equipment was selected for visual and technical excellence using good quality products with long life expectancy. Dimmed on a central lighting control system to ensure lighting and power is only used when needed, and lighting dimmed further or turned off for example, when sufficient daylight is available. The products are also designed to facilitate the replacement and recycling of minimal components at the end of the product life.
Company DescriptionAn independent Lighting Design Consultancy working on award winning projects since 1958. Athens | Dubai | Japan | London | Oxfordshire.
