rock house by AGi architects is clad with concrete that looks like origami

located in a residential suburb of kuwait city, this single family house by AGi architects is clad with reinforced concrete formed similarly to folded origami. located in abdullah al-salem, the property seeks to provide complete privacy while establishing itself as a distinctive part of the neighborhood. consequently, the dwelling’s layout is articulated around a secluded courtyard from which all internal spaces in the house are turned towards.

the dwelling is located in a residential suburb of kuwait city
image by nelson garrido (also main image)

‘rock house’ was designed by AGi architects, a spain- and kuwait-based firm led by joaquín pérez-goicoechea and nasser b. abulhasan. following the client’s requirements, the design team placed very few openings overlooking the street. instead, carefully positioned apertures ensure a degree of illumination while preventing excessive sun light from entering.

the single family house is clad with reinforced concrete
image by nelson garrido

channeling traditional islamic architecture, the use of corridors is avoided. ‘the house is seen as a whole entity comprised of changing conditions based on the various activities unraveling throughout the course of the day,’ explain the architects. ‘with relatively smaller spaces than the local standards, the design intent is to give maximum functional flexibility, by introducing multiple routes to enable continuous communication between different rooms without interruptions,’ continues AGi.

the concrete appears as planes of folded origami
image by nelson garrido

the property seeks to provide ‘complete privacy’ for its inhabitants
image by nelson garrido

carefully positioned apertures ensure a degree of illumination
image by nelson garrido

the design channels traditional islamic architecture
image by nelson garrido

the angular folded forms are continued internally
image by AGi architects

warm woods are used inside the home
image by AGi architects

the dwelling’s layout is articulated around a central courtyard
image by AGi architects

the residence is located in abdullah al-salem
image by nelson garrido

project info:

name: rock house
type: residential | 1,300 sqm
location: abdulla al-salem, kuwait
client: private
cost: confidential
photography: nelson garrido (exterior images), AGi architects (interior images)

main architects: nasser b. abulhasan, joaquín pérez-goicoechea
project leaders: lucía sánchez-salmón, lulu alawadhi
project team: ma eugenia díaz, gwenola kergall, abdulhafiz bahi el din, hanan alkouh
interior design: lucía sánchez-salmón, lulu alawadhi
interior design: AGi architects
furniture supplier: gunni & trentino
lighting: lara elbaz