Chapter 1
- Projects - The most important ongoing projects
Ministry of Education Headquarters Project
Beneficiary: Ministry of Education.
The project of the Headquarters of the Court of the Ministry of Education is distinctive and not traditional in particular. It is
inspired by the idea of design of the "Alboom", one of the most famous sailing ships in the history of Kuwait. It is embodied
authentic history of Kuwait heritage, which is rich in fishing, maritime trade and shipbuilding. So, it is one of the largest state
enterprises with a vast area estimated at 40,000 m² and a building area of 246,986 m² and is located in Hawalli Governorate.
The government uses the area in the south of Surra, it has been allocated to this region by the government for the transfer of
key ministries outside Kuwait city, to reduce congestion and traffic density in the capital, and to create a suitable working
environment for employees. The location is characterized by its position in the north-western corner of the road’s intersection
(206) with road (400), and is connected with road 400 and road 401, and those two roads are aligned with the South Surra
area of government inquiries from the east and west from Khalid Bin AbdulAziz road and the Sixth Ring road through two main
roads.
The project embodies the idea of “Alboom” through the construction of two arcuate buildings built from glass and metal that
meet in the center of a courtyard full of charming lights, very high ceilings, water elements, in addition to unique landscaping.
The courtyard has been provided with vitality through the creation of connecting bridges, dynamic lifts, and electronic pictures
that broadcast the Ministry of Education’s massages and tasks.
The two buildings are characterized by their difference in height. The first building (northern) ranges from 8 – 9 floors, while the
second building (southern) ranges from 10-11 floors. They are slightly bent to the outside of the base which consists of two
floors and padded with Granite, which has been chosen carefully to demonstrate the building as it is floating above water.
The project is also unique in that it will have a major role in the national celebrations of Kuwait, as the interface of the building
has been designed on an external lighting system that was specially designed for occasions. LED lighting filaments that
operate through a computer network have been lined along the southern part of the building, extending from the 3rd floor to
the 10th floor. These lights reflect various colors and televised pictures. This external lighting system will allow the contribution
of the building to the celebrations that are held throughout the year.
The building also has inner and outer waterfalls and is designed like the commercial malls. All of the floors can see the lobby,
and everyone entering the building can see the entire building and all the offices are open. The building’s interior floors have
also been equipped with the rare and high-quality Almstic wood, this wood is from a perennial trees (with a virtual life of up to
50 years) which doesn’t require maintenance and is sustainable. The ceilings have been provided with an anti-fire system.
The inner huge courtyard is the heart of the project and it consists of ten floors. It gives a first impression of a luxurious
entrance hall. It is characterized by natural light as a result of the use of airbags ETFE material to cover the roof. They are
transparent material windows of light which allow the passage of 98% of the lighting and impede heat transfer to the inside and
prevent the accumulation of dust on them. This is the perfect place to arrange events, activities and programs that will
contribute to the support of the Ministry of Education in the presentation of programs and educational achievements. The latest
appropriate technologies have been used for the laws of the global construction when designing a project building services. It
includes structural, electrical, mechanical and health systems, fire protection and other specialized systems. The exterior of the
building is covered with glass that has been carefully chosen to resist the heat. A special glass been used to maintain the
energy and prevent the entry of heat to the building. In addition, a study has been done carefully for the movement of the sun
to shade the building through two ways; one is external and is broken down by the sun falls.
The second is automatic internal shading and follows the movement of the sun. In the eastern and western facade there
is a golden glass. The glass is padded from the inside by copper plate drilled at an angle in order to prevent the entry of
the sun and allow lighting.
141 Statistical Year Book الدليـــل الإحصــائــي الســـنوي