Sarah Alfraih

SPACES OF LIVING 2016

Research Team
Sharifa Alshalfan | Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea | Sarah Alfraih

‘Spaces of Living: Urban Reflections of Kuwait Society’ is the outcome of a two-year research project hosted at LSE Middle East Centre led by Sharifa AlShalfan, Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Sarah Alfraih. It was presented in a visually supported report that was externally reviewed and recommended for publication.  

The study itself was born out of a serious concern for Kuwait’s current housing challenges; and is an attempt to produce a document currently unmet in the discipline of architecture and urbanism in Kuwait. It deals with the relations between the built form, socio-economic history and human behaviour as they relate to housing. Building an argument that cohesively draws on these interrelated topics; and squarely positions the need for an interdisciplinary approach to any future housing strategies in Kuwait.

This was achieved first through understanding the recent historical local context, both from a social and urban standpoint, with a special focus on housing. Secondly, it documented the formal aspect of the different existing examples of Kuwaiti homes, focusing on housing types, sizes and locations and their changes over time. Thirdly, it dissected the current social activities and cultural traits within the various spatial settings of the home; and finally, it came up with alternative recommendations for the future of the Kuwaiti home.

The study was conducted in parallel to a research driven design studio at Kuwait University tutored by Sharifa & Sarah.