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In pictures: New museum complex, the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre in Kuwait City
The center won the LEAF Award for the best design last September
The complex is made up six main buildings that includes a National History Museum; Science Museum; Museum of Islamic History; Space Museum; Fine Arts Centre; as well as a theatre.
The building is the newest addition to what is to become a cultural district within country’s capital, Kuwait City.
The buildings within the complex are connected by a central ‘street’ which winds around the complex, referencing a traditional ‘ferej’ (neighbourhood) found in Kuwait and the wider region. The meandering walkways mirror the experience of walking down a typical, busy Kuwait street.
Consisting of an inverted structure, this allows the installation of 2,000 LED-lit shingles, which is parametrically designed linked by a DMX controller to provide evening light shows, in addition to daytime shade.
The orientation of the shingles creates a downdraft to lower the ambient temperature by 10 degrees, while providing shading space between the buildings
The shingles range from 3 sqm to 9 sqm in area and each comprises a single piece of fibre-glass, which reflects ambient temperature, and creates light effects to celebrate national holidays and events.
Kuwaiti women are seen at the planets section at the Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem Cultural Centre.
Animals are seen at the extinct animal section at the Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem Cultural Centre.
A crocodile skeleton from the Ancient Times section is seen the Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem Cultural Centre.
