Set against the arid and sun-drenched backdrop of Al Khiran, Kuwait, the Tent House by TAEP/AAP is a striking example of how architecture can adapt to its context while being reverent to cultural traditions. Completed in 2021 and spanning a built-up area of 2390 square meters, this residential project successfully marries tradition with innovation, embodying the cultural importance of family gatherings and the necessity of shade in the harsh desert climate.
Tent House Technical Information
- Architects1-8: TAEP/AAP
- Location: Al Khiran, Kuwait
- Topics: Beach Houses
- Area: 2,390 m2
- Project Year: 2021
- Photographs: © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
The Tent residence simultaneously achieves the status of a desert camp, a beach house and, above all, a gathering place.
– TAEP/AAP Architects
Tent House Photographs
Blending Tradition and Modernity: An In-Depth Look at the Tent House
The Arabian Peninsula is steeped in a rich history of nomadic lifestyles, where families often travel from cities to the seaside or desert during holidays. This tradition, typically characterized by temporary infrastructures, serves as the conceptual foundation for the Tent House. The residence is designed to recreate the feeling of a family gathering under a lightweight and unobtrusive shelter, emphasizing the importance of shade in a hot desert climate.
Central to the Tent House is its common folded concrete white roof. The strategically perforated surface serves dual functions: it provides shade while allowing diffused sunlight to permeate the living spaces below. At night, the perforations become celestial windows, offering views of the night sky.
The ground floor is designed as a social oasis, surrounded by lush vegetation and gardens. These external spaces encircle a central water element, reminiscent of a desert oasis. Further enhancing the experience are two communal double-height shaded areas, seamlessly linking the internal spaces to the adjacent beach.
A notable aspect of the Tent House is its careful consideration of privacy and openness. The project achieves a balance by orienting itself to minimize visibility from the access road and immediate neighbors. Yet, it maximizes transparency towards its private beachfront, offering seafront glazed facades and garden terraces.
The Tent House by TAEP/AAP is more than just a residence; it is a cultural monument that pays homage to Arabian traditions while representing a sophisticated understanding of modern architectural practices. With its intelligent design, the project achieves the rare feat of being a desert camp, a beach house, and a family gathering place—all rolled into one seamless experience.
Tent House Plans
Tent House Image Gallery
About TAEP/AAP
TAEP/AAP is a renowned architecture and engineering firm with a footprint in Kuwait, Portugal, and France, boasting over 55 years of combined experience. Rooted in a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach, the firm distinguishes itself by leveraging research, design, and technical expertise to develop innovative solutions tailored to contemporary territorial contexts.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Team: Abdulatif Almishari, Rui Vargas, Telmo Rodrigues, Carla Barroso, Abdullahziz Al Kandahari, Fábio Guimarães, Alba Duarte, António Brigas, António Gorjão, Carlo Palma, Duarte Correia, Gonçalo Silva, Hassan Javed, João Costa, Mariana Neves, Maysi Vasquez, Pedro Batista, Pedro Miranda, Raquel Martins, Sofia Teixeira
- MEP: Mohammed Hassan, Rúben Rodrigues, Sérgio Sousa
- Interior Design: Leonor Feyo, Carolina Grave, Estrela Nunes, Luísa Calvo
- Landscape: Susana Pinheiro
- Graphic Design: Mariana Neves, Aquilino Sotero, Diogo Monteiro, Federica Fortugno, Luísa Calvo
- Structural Engineer: R5 Engineers
- Light Design: Light Design
- Site Supervision: ASBUILT Lúcio Silva, Ricardo Janeiro, Vando Beldade
