Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre

The Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre is a multi-disciplinary arts, music and knowledge center located in 241,000sqm area in the capital city of Kuwait. It comprises of the Theatre Building. Music Building, Conference Center, Historical Documents and Library Building, all linked and accessed via a landscaped podium which houses the parking and a public park that includes a Musical & Dancing Fountain which shoots water up to 80m height, providing a mesmerizing experience to the public.

The four buildings consist of full span steel envelopes which cover the independent concrete structures underneath. The primary steel grid is wrapped in a weather-tight envelope, with glazed penetrations supported by secondary steel, deck and insulation. The external surface is then protected with a series of titanium panels and the interior with Stainless Steel panels in a series of repetitive patterns which was inspired by Islamic architecture.

Each Internal building is clad in a palette of stone, patterned glass, golden calligraphic forms and other luxurious interior finishes and textures. A major interior feature at the complex is a monolithic signature chandelier weighing 22 Tons with 220,000 LEDs which illuminates the entrance foyer of the Theatre building and presents itself in a tiered array of falling glass providing an arresting spectacle for visitors.

All the venues inside these buildings employ state-of-the-art technologies and software systems for their operation. These venues hold capacities of around 5700 seats all together. The site forms a complementary part of Kuwait’s national cultural district celebrating Kuwaiti, Islamic and Arab culture and history. It also embraces and showcases the rich diversity of the world’s finest cultural achievements.

The Project was procured on a Design & Build basis and completed in 22 months. Dar SSH was appointed by Al Hani Company as the Design Consultant.