Hasta La Ideas

Spain and Kuwait-based AGi Architects have designed three seafront houses in Kuwait for three siblings and their families (photos by Nelson Garrido).

The S Cube Chalet comprises three small houses connected by walkways and a central staircase, each with private terraces overlooking the sea.

Two of the houses are mirror images of each other and are separated by the staircase, which leads up to the third house on the upper level.

The buildings have been situated to limit their exposure to the sun on the south facade and increase shaded space on the north side which looks out to sea.

The floors, stairs and a dividing wall between two of the houses are clad with Indian sandstone.

Photographs are by Nelson Garrido.

Here’s some more information from the architects:

S Cube family chalet is made up of three intertwined beach houses. The owners – two brothers and their sister each with their own families – want to continue enjoying the same exceptional environment in which they grew up, but with complete independency and privacy from each other.

For these reasons, the design of these three small houses calls for a duplicated programme that maintains privacy while benefiting from outdoor areas and sea views by the use of several terraces.

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Architectural solutions proposed by AGi
In order to create private and independent houses for each family – comprising three young couples with two small children each – AGi architects have divided the plot into two units composed of two houses that are mirror images of each other, named S2 and S3. These units are separated by a staircase leading towards the third house, located at the higher level. The third house is positioned on top and across from the two residences, enjoying a large roof terrace with direct views towards the sea. Each of the three houses enjoys an individual outdoor area that is open to the sky, privacy from its neighbor, and extended sea views.

The highly dense programme in the intertwined houses is manipulated to create outdoor spaces which harvest the prevailing winds and enhance their circulation within the courtyards, allowing people to comfortably reside in them. The building is carefully situated to protect its exposure to the sun on the southern façade, whilst increasing shaded space on the northern side to frame views out to the sea as well as create a pleasant outdoor environment.

The outdoor spaces on the ground floor and the roof terrace of the third house on the upper level are the main distinguishing elements and spaces of this project; from which the three houses are organized around them. They are beach houses designed to optimize and enhance the outdoor experience.

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Programme
S Cube chalet is developed into three levels:
S2 and S3 houses comprise mirrored programmes, occupying two levels:
Ground floor: Main bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and a large courtyard open to the sea.
First floor: Two bedrooms, bathroom and a terrace with side views to the sea, designed as a playing area for children.
The terraces of both houses are visually separated by a grid.
S1 house is developed in two separate levels:
First floor: Main bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and a terrace connected to the S3 terrace.
Second floor: Two bedrooms, bathroom and a large terrace facing the sea.

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Materials
The flooring, stairs and dividing wall between S1 and S2 are all are clad using Indian sandstone. Interior walls and ceilings are finished using plaster and paint, while handrails are cladded with wood.
The interiors have been designed by AGi architects. All materials used in the S Cube project are locally manufactured. The loose furniture produced by Spanish brands, supplied by Gunni & Trentino.

Design Team: Joaquin Pérez-Goicoechea, Nasser B. Abulhasan, Salvador Cejudo
Architectural team: Robert A. Varghese, Abdul Hafiz, Mohammed Mónica Marqués, José Á ngel del Campo

Project Name: S Cube Chalet
Type: Residential 750 m2
Location: Kuwait
Date: 2007-2011

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by AGi Architects appeared first on Dezeen.

Photographer Nelson Garrido has sent us some images of  a house designed by AGi Architects located next to a beach in Bnaider, Kuwait.

Called Star House, the side of the house facing the beach has floor to ceiling windows, affording panoramic views of the sea.

The design was initially for three detached houses, but the client decided on a single residence with two bungalows and a boathouse.

Photographs are courtesy of Nelson Garrido.

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The following information is from the architects:

Project Description

Nestled into the landscape, this beach house blends with the natural topography of the coastline of Kuwait. It slowly unfolds itself to the visitor, as it is approached from the desert.

Upon entry, one gets glimpses of the sea whilst going down to the public space of the chalet. On this lower level, the house extends into the landscape and the sea, accentuated by an infinity pool in the garden.

The private side of the house, located at the entry level, is concealed from the visitors by a bamboo wall. Bedrooms and private living spaces remain isolated from daily activities.

A three-way stair, placed at the center of building, organizes the different flows of family, friends and guests.

The organizational and formal structure of the beach house is dictated by the ability to maximize views to the sea.

The initial design was master planned for three detached dwellings, each with extensive sea views while simultaneously achieving privacy from one another.

The client, instead, opted for a single house, two bungalows and a boathouse, with possible plans for expansion in the future.

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Project Name: Star House
Type: Housing | 5000 sqm
Location: Bnaider, Kuwait
Date: 2007/2009
Client: Private

Design Team: Dr. Nasser B. Abulhasan, Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea, Georg Thesing, Bruno Martins, Alfonso Gomes, Daniel Muñoz Medranda,
Robert A. Varghese, Abdul Hafiz Mohammed, Moyra Montoya Moyano

Company Profile

AGi architects is an international design firm providing comprehensive services in Architecture, Planning, Urban Design, Interior Design, Design Research and Consulting. An integration of skills allows the creation of places that provide lasting value for clients through distinctive and imaginative solutions. AGi architects was established in 2005 by Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Nasser B. Abulhasan.

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AGi architects has introduced exceptional design, management and technical approaches to its projects in the Europe and the Middle East from its offices in the cities of Madrid and Kuwait. With a multidisciplinary staff of over 30 professionals including architects, planners, landscape architects, interior designers and other specialists, individual members of the design team can be carefully selected to reflect the necessary skills for the scope and scale of the project. Great emphasis is placed on continuity so that work is client driven rather than project centered. Clients work with architects they know and over time, the team is able to develop a thorough understanding of the clients’ business objectives and priorities and is able to make more effective contributions to their projects.

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