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Kuwait University's Convocation Hall
Kuwait University's Convocation Hall
Kuwait
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Other Projects by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Kuwait University's Convocation Hall
Kuwait
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2022
SIZE
300,000 sqft - 500,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
Designed as a performing arts center, Kuwait University’s campus centerpiece is the Convocation Hall, a monumental building located in front of the arrival garden. Also known as the Pearl, the spheroid structure is located between the administration building and the library, featuring a 1,600-seat theater that serves as a premier venue for events, performances, and celebrations. As a symbolic cornerstone of the student experience, the Pearl marks both the commencement and culmination of their journey at the University.
The Arabic word for pearl, aldanah, is inscribed into the eggshell-shaped screen of the Convocation Hall. Kuwaiti artist Farah Behbehani created an abstracted and intricate pattern for this screen using the word in Sumbuli calligraphy, a late Ottoman cursive style. This design represents a symbol of beauty that holds special meaning in Kuwaiti culture, acknowledging the country’s legacy of pearl diving in the Arabian sea, once a vital part of the region’s economy. Traditionally, the pearl signifies beauty created from challenge—a poignant metaphor for learning itself.
The Pearl is enclosed by thousands of sun-shading panels arranged in a complex geometry. Mounted on a structural frame, these panels create the building’s mashrabiya—a latticed facade that provides shade, enhances airflow, and establishes a distinct architectural identity through intricate geometric patterns, a hallmark of Middle Eastern architecture. The design culminates in a skylight aperture, allowing natural light to filter into the building’s interior.
The Arabic word for pearl, aldanah, is inscribed into the eggshell-shaped screen of the Convocation Hall. Kuwaiti artist Farah Behbehani created an abstracted and intricate pattern for this screen using the word in Sumbuli calligraphy, a late Ottoman cursive style. This design represents a symbol of beauty that holds special meaning in Kuwaiti culture, acknowledging the country’s legacy of pearl diving in the Arabian sea, once a vital part of the region’s economy. Traditionally, the pearl signifies beauty created from challenge—a poignant metaphor for learning itself.
The Pearl is enclosed by thousands of sun-shading panels arranged in a complex geometry. Mounted on a structural frame, these panels create the building’s mashrabiya—a latticed facade that provides shade, enhances airflow, and establishes a distinct architectural identity through intricate geometric patterns, a hallmark of Middle Eastern architecture. The design culminates in a skylight aperture, allowing natural light to filter into the building’s interior.
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