Located in the business heart of Sharq, Kuwait City, BBT Hilltop by TAEP/AAP is an exemplar in multi-purpose design, both fulfilling and surpassing the role of a typical food and beverage restaurant. The project has broken the norms of traditional architecture by serving as a public urban installation that shifts its use throughout the day. Its striking design makes it an unforgettable landmark that fosters community engagement while offering a top-notch culinary experience.
BBT Hilltop Technical Information
- Architects1-6: TAEP/AAP
- Location: Sharq, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Topics: Restaurants
- Area: 492 m2
- Project Completion Year: 2022
- Photographs: © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
The project represents the idea of a multifunctional canopy, that acts as an urban installation for the heart of the business city center, artistically driving a new landmark and becoming a notorious place for gathering.
– TAEP/AAP Architects
BBT Hilltop Photographs
BBT Hilltop: A Multifunctional Canopy
The BBT Hilltop’s signature feature is its multi-functional canopy that serves as a dynamic urban installation. During the day, it offers shade for the drive-in restaurant and outdoor esplanade. By evening, it transforms into an entertainment hub, offering an adaptable space for outdoor theatre shows and even cinema screenings with the appropriate setup.
The canopy isn’t just a static piece; it also features a slide that aligns with its slope, adding a playful touch and doubling as a children’s playground. Its versatility speaks to the architectural creativity of the team led by Abdulatif Almishari and Rui Vargas, who have successfully integrated multiple uses into a singular structure.
Encased in a box-like structure, the interior of the restaurant is an artistic contrast of materials. The exterior is rendered in matte paint and metallic mesh, providing a striking contrast to the glossy white ceramic tiles that line the interior walls. This juxtaposition is further intensified by the bold red floors and ceilings, offering a vibrant and immersive dining experience.
One of the design’s significant accomplishments is its strategic openings that facilitate natural lighting and ventilation, making the space habitable and enjoyable. This attention to detail extends to the restaurant’s main vertical element—a red spiral staircase that establishes a seamless flow between the interior dining area and the outdoor canopy. The staircase completes what the architects describe as “the loop” between the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the building’s spatial continuity.
The choice of raw materials in construction reflects the restaurant’s commitment to using natural products in their menu items. This is complemented by state-of-the-art assembly technology, ensuring customers enjoy a modern, optimized experience without compromising the quality of their meals.
BBT Hilltop stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities of modern architecture, effectively breaking the boundaries between public and private spaces while serving the community in multiple capacities.
BBT Hilltop Plans
BBT Hilltop Image Gallery
About TAEP/AAP
TAEP/AAP is an award-winning architecture and engineering practice with offices in Kuwait, Portugal, and France, boasting a combined experience of over 55 years in the industry. With a focus on collaborative and multi-scalar programs, TAEP/AAP assembles diverse teams and individuals to work on projects that push the boundaries of traditional architectural and engineering practices.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Team: Abdulatif Almishari, Rui Vargas, Tiago Brito, João Costa, Dalia Aly, Rafael Fortes, Elvino Domingos, Paulo Monteiro, Carla Barroso, Gonçalo Silva, Lionel Estriga, Mohammed Fawaz Abdulhadi, Telmo Rodrigues, Tiago Lopes, Hassan Javed.
- MEP: João Catrapona, Mohammed Hassan, Rúben Rodrigues, Sérgio Sousa.
- Landscape: Susana Pinheiro.
- Graphic Design: Mariana Neves, Raquel Martins, Federica Fortugno, Aquilino Sotero.
- Structure: Al-Farooqi
- Light Design: Light Design Portugal
