Kuwait University Spring 2010

Architecture Design Studio IV

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Studio Instructors

Giovanna Potesta

TA Jawad Al Tabtabai

Brief
To analyze and study the historical site of Muharraq, Bahrain and propose a site responsive program to benefit the current users of the site, which are majorly low income residents, not affording most of basic needs. A school trip with limited number of students were sent to visit the sites, to analyze and document the sites proposed, from site users, topography, built height, site history, etc. and from the data collected was to formulate an architectural intervention for the area.  Through the process of documentation, a video recorded by a fellow student in passing, was the herd of goats passing through the streets, that were taken to the local market. This moment, sparked the thought of a proposed program which was to create an area with the basic needs of the users from the point of consumption. A farming residence to grow and raise their own food, a market place to sell and trade with other merchants in the area, revitalizing the souk market and provide local housing for the workers on the area to inhabit. The architectural langauge applied was adapting the key principles of the existing urban fabric, which was with the fortification of the residences, limited entrances leading to courtyards acting as multipurpose spaces, such as  markets and gathering spaces, and advancing the mud structure to having a livable facade, that can bear and sustain the tentants and animals in the dwellings.