KFAS New Headquarters in Kuwait – International 2-Stage Design Competition

On Monday, March 26, 2018, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) has launched the international design competition for the KFAS New Headquarters in Kuwait.

Overview

KFAS is inviting architects from all around the world to submit their application to enter this competition that is organized according to international standards.

The invitation is aimed equally at experienced and young architects, large and small offices. The highest degree of creativity, innovation, inspiration, sensitivity and commitment is expected.

• Headquarters and convention center, two buildings with a net utilization area of 11,000 sqm each, and a master plan covering 60 hectares
• A total of USD 530,000 (net) for prizes and honoraria
• Working phase Stage 1, May 7 to July 4, 2018 and Stage 2, August 16 to November 1, 2018
• With 40 to 60 participants in Stage 1 and approx. 10 participants in Stage 2
• Submissions will be reviewed by an internationally renowned professional jury
• Participants to move forward with Stage 1 will be selected through a pre-qualification procedure by a committee independent of the jury

  The procedure is organized in agreement with the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).

  Deadline for the submission of application is April 16, 2018, 18:00 CEST.

Task

The task of the competition is to design new headquarters and a convention center for KFAS, each building with an approximate net utilization area of 11,000 sqm, and to establish strong spatial connections and an open space. design through a master plan between the new buildings and adjacent science and technology functions that are currently in the area.

KFAS expects forward-looking, innovative and cost-efficient processes with the aim of achieving the highest sustainability standards in its new project. The new buildings should offer a flexible and modern working environment for its staff.

Through the launch of its very first international competition, KFAS envisions to evoke a science and technology-based design approach for its buildings and to initiate the development of a science district with international reputation.

This competition and the realized buildings are expected to become a future model for developments in the Gulf region. An awareness of the cultural and social context of the Gulf and of Kuwait through previous work is highly valued.

Competition Site

The competition area is situated at approx. 12 km east of the center of Kuwait City, in the northeastern tip of the peninsula of the District of Salmiya. While the study area for the master plan is nearly 60 hectares in size, the plot of land for the new KFAS Headquarters measures approx. 9,000 sqm and the project site for the new KFAS Convention Center measures approx. 5,600 sqm.

Important buildings inside the study area are characterized by commercial, cultural and public use and science and technology (SIT) organizations in particular. It is home to The Scientific Center of Kuwait (TSCK), Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Environment Public Authority (EPA) and Public authority for Agriculture Affairs (PAAFR).

Procedure

The competition is organized as a two stage, restricted, international, project competition with prior open pre-qualification procedure. The procedure will maintain the competitors’ anonymity. The language of the competition is English.

The procedure is organized in agreement with the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).

Following the open prequalification process selected design teams are encouraged to showcase their creativity and potential through their concept ideas in the first competition stage. Envisaged to promote science and fulfill the growing capacity of the foundation the competition will be finalized after the selection of the winner from the shortlisted design teams in the second stage where they are invited to present their final designs.

Jury Members

• Mr. Abdlatif Yousef Al-Hamad, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (Kuwait City, Kuwait)
• Prof. Markus Allmann, Architect at Allmann Sattler Wappner Architects, Technical University Stuttgart (Munich, Germany)
• Ahmed Abdullah Al-Manfouhi, Engineer, Director General of Kuwait Municipality (Salmiya, Kuwait)
• Prof. Nezar AlSayyad, Architect, UC Berkeley (Berkeley, USA and Cairo/Egypt)
• Prof. Amale Andraous, Architect at Work Architecture, Columbia University (New

  York, USA and Beirut/Lebanon) (UIA representative)

• Prof. Hasan-Uddin Khan, Architect, Roger Williams University (Bristol, USA and Karachi/Pakistan)
• Prof. Mark Mack, Architect, UCLA (Los Angeles, USA and Austria)

Honoraria and Prizes

The promoter will provide the net amount of USD 530,000 (net) for prizes and honoraria for services rendered. The total amount was determined in relation to the size of the project and in respect of the competition requirements.

As compensation for the expenses incurred, a budget of USD 400,000 will be divided in equal parts among all 6 to 10 competitors who advance to Stage 2. Thus, each competitor will receive an honorarium anywhere between USD 40,000 and USD 66,000. In addition, a total of USD 130,000 shall be awarded as prizes in Stage 2.

Competitors of Stage 1 will additionally be reimbursed, for the accommodation expenses incurred for two nights by two persons attending the Stage 1 colloquium. Further, competitors of Stage 2 will additionally be reimbursed, for the travel and accommodation expenses incurred by two persons attending the Stage 2 colloquium.

Schedule

Announcement: March 26, 2018

Application deadline: April 16, 2018

Selection of participants: April 30, 2018

Working period Stage 1: May 7 to July 4, 2018 (approx. 9 weeks)

Participants’ Colloquium Stage 1:  May 13, 2018

Jury meeting Stage 1: July 31 and August 1, 2018

Working period Stage 2: August 16, to November 1, 2018 (approx. 9 weeks)

Participants’ Colloquium Stage 2:  August/September 2018

Jury meeting Stage 2:  December 2/3, 2018