A 1.2 KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The Kuwait International Airport, although simple in form, is similar to the Ningbo Museum such that it’s backed with innovative design and construction process, resulting in a harmonious balancer between tradition and contemporary. This project exercises the capabilities of new technology in the role of producing environmentally responsive buildings but also displays the ability to incorporate cultural aspects and exercise creativity into a space.
Project: Kuwait International Airport By: Foster + Partners Location: Al Farwaniyah, Kuwait
CAD software was heavily involved by Forster & Partners in their design process, using computational methods, and even man-power, as mathematician and expert geometer Kristoffer Josefsson was employed to explore the geometry and symmetry that formed the foundation of the design form [6]. Powerful computational architecture carries the ability to crunch topological issues, conduct studies and produce solutions.
Although technology is ever progressing, architects are restricted to design methods available to them at that point in time. However, what can always emerge above these constraints are the concepts; it is important that this is understood and appreciated by all generations, sparking thought and questions that contribute to ongoing architectural discourse. Design should not strive to be modern, as modern inevitably becomes out dated.
As a hub of international populace interchange, the pioneers of the architecture naturally try to project its heritage and story, old and new, to their visitors. Hence, there is a task of finding the right compromise of ‘modern’ and ‘high-tech’ language. Despite its contrasting approach to the vernacular architecture, it manages to build on a similar language using a computational approach. The design respects traditional Kuwait, but welcomes the new future through its culturally identifiable form, a grounded, sleek shape. This balance of tradition and technology puts modern architecture into positive light, a display of new design possibilities without sacrificing cultural roots.
Fig 1.3 - opposing symmetry
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