New HQ for the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences

The UIA endorsed the international, restricted two-phase architecture competition for the design of the new headquarters for the Kuwait Foundation of Sciences (KFAS), a private, non-profit organisation dedicated to progress and to the advancement of the society through science and technology.

The competition was organised by KFAS and managed by the German agency [phase eins]. It was conducted in two phases with 60 teams selected to phase 1 and 10 teams moving on to phase 2.

 

Key dates

  • Pre-qualification procedure: March 26 to April 18, 2018
  • Issue of Stage 1 competition materials: May 7, 2018
  • Participants’ colloquium Stage 1: May 13, 2018
  • Online forum Stage 1: May 7 to 22, 2018 (extended)
  • Submission of entries Stage 1: July 4, 2018
  • Submission of models Stage 1: July 11, 2018
  • Jury meeting Stage 1: July 31 and August 1, 2018
  • Issue of Stage 2 competition materials: August 16, 2018
  • Participants’ colloquium Stage 2: September 4, 2018
  • Online forum Stage 2: August 16 to 30, 2018
  • Submission of entries Stage 2: November 1, 2018
  • Submission of models Stage 2: November 8, 2018
  • Jury meeting Stage 2: December 1 and 2, 2018
  • Exhibition: Early 2019

More about the competition 

 

Keywords : Institutional

Prizes

A total of 530 000 USD was reserved for prizes and honoraria. A budget of 400 000 USD was divided equally among Phase 2 competitors.

In addition to this, the following prizes were awarded:

  • 1st prize: 50 000 USD
  • 2nd prize: 35 000 USD
  • 3rd prize: 25 000 USD
  • 4th prize: 20 000 USD

 

 

Competition results

1st prize: Topotek 1 (Switzerland/Germany)

1st prize: Topotek 1 (Switzerland/Germany)

2nd prize: Metaform architects (Luxembourg)

2nd prize: Metaform architects (Luxembourg)

3rd prize: Querkraft architekten zt gmbh (Austria)

3rd prize: Querkraft architekten zt gmbh (Austria)

4th prize: Nasrine Seraji Architect (France), with Petitdidierprioux Architects (France), VS-A (Hong Kong, China), and Djao-Rakitine LTD (United Kingdom)

4th prize: Nasrine Seraji Architect (France), with Petitdidierprioux Architects (France), VS-A (Hong Kong, China), and Djao-Rakitine LTD (United Kingdom)

Theme and objectives

The new headquarters of the KFAS will include a convention centre, both buildings covering 11 000 square meters each, and a master plan covering 60 hectares. In keeping with the ambitious mission of KFAS, the new headquarters is intended to be forward-looking, innovative and cost-efficient, meeting the highest sustainability standards and should offer a flexible and modern working environment for its staff. The competition aspires to result in exemplary buildings, which can be a model for further developments in the Gulf region.

 

Jury Members

Architectural Jurors

  • Prof. Markus Allmann, Architect at Allmann Sattler Wappner Architects, Stuttgart
    Technical University, Munich/Germany
  • Prof. Nezar AlSayyad, Architect, UC Berkeley, Berkeley/USA and Cairo/Egypt
  • Prof. Luca Molinari, Architect, Milan/Italy (UIA representative)
  •  Prof. Hasan-Uddin Khan, Architect, Roger Williams University, Bristol/USA and Karachi/Pakistan
  • Prof. Mark Mack, Architect, UCLA, Los Angeles/USA and Austria

Alternate Architectural Jurors

  • Prof. Amale Andraos, Architect at Work Architecture, Columbia University,
    New York/USA and Beirut/Lebanon
  • Dr. Mohammed AlJassar, Architect, Kuwait City/Kuwait

General Jurors

  •  Mr. Abdlatif Yousef Al-Hamad, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General
    of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Kuwait City/Kuwait
  • Ahmed Abdullah Al-Manfouhi, Engineer, Director General of
    Kuwait Municipality, Salmiya/Kuwait

Alternate General Juror

  • Khaled Al-Mashaan, Engineer, KFAS, Board Member, Kuwait City/Kuwait
  • Sabah Abi Hanna, Architect, Beirut/Lebanon

Honorary Guests

  • Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin, KFAS, Director General, Kuwait City/Kuwait
  • HE Dr. Yousef H. H. Al-Ebraheem, KFAS Board of Directors, Kuwait City/Kuwait

Technical Experts

  • Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Bauer, Fraunhofer-Institut, IAO, Stuttgart/Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Klaus Daniels, HL Beratungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH, Munich/Germany
  • Maisaa Kayali, Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait City/Kuwait
  • Stefan Rief, Fraunhofer-Institut, IAO, Stuttgart/Germany

Eligibility

The pre-selection phase of the competition is open to both experienced and young architects, large and small offices.

 

Results

Competition closed. Results announced on December 2018

COMPETITION RESULTS

Past
Institutional
past
Restricted
Professional