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Architecture series, episode 9: Plunge by ARCWANI, Kuwait

Plunge, by the Kuwaiti office ARCWANI (Mohammad S. Aladwani Engineering Consultants), treats its north facade as the first point of transition from the city into the building's interior.

The finished white north facade from the street
Image: ARCWANI
The finished facade behind the garden
Image: ARCWANI
Raw concrete exterior during construction
Image: ARCWANI
Raw concrete entry facade during construction
Image: ARCWANI
Curved interior wall during construction
Image: ARCWANI
Interior opening framing a stair
Image: ARCWANI
A concrete skylight opening
Image: ARCWANI
Skylight over an interior court
Image: ARCWANI
The concrete stair
Image: ARCWANI
Ground floor plan
Image: ARCWANI
First floor plan
Image: ARCWANI
Underground floor plan
Image: ARCWANI
WHY IT MATTERS

Let me explain

The upper mass holds together as a single, clear monolithic form, while the lower parts recede to create entry and passage zones in a sequence of reveal and containment. Facing north lets in more natural light with less direct sun, so the entry facade becomes part of the building's climatic and spatial system (ARCWANI).

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