Ausaj Farm | Office Kayan

Location: Al Sulaibiya, Kuwait
Plot Area: 50,000 sqm
Status: Under Construction. Est: 2015

Ausaj Farm is a Design-Build project currently under construction in Al Sulaibiya, in the western farm areas of Kuwait. The farm is 50,000 sq.m and holds a total of 15 buildings varying from private dwelling units, to a diwaniya, and service buildings. The concept was derived from a study of planes and masses placed within the plot to contain different natural desert instances. Slits and small square openings in the planes create vistas into the surrounding context. The hierarchy in the various program is emphasized in the play of heights in the buildings’ masses. Given Kuwait’s harsh desert landscape and climate, screens were installed on the east and west elevations to reduce heat gain and direct sunlight.

In addition to the farm’s landscaping, canopies were used to cast shade and create an intricate play of light and shadow on the pedestrian pathways connecting the main areas of the project together.

The farm is divided into three main zones: eastern, central, and western.
The eastern zone–being the closest to the entrance-serves as both the guests and services area.
As the guests enter the main gate of the farm, they approach a single story building with two diwaniyas (men’s gathering halls) joint with a central lobby that is glazed on two ends creating a clear view towards the length of the farm. The main barn, two large storage buildings, and the staff quarters are placed by the main gate for maintenance and privacy.

The central zone is the main farming space of the land, providing a green transition space between both eastern and western zones of the farm. Limiting the guests program and circulation to only the eastern zone provides the family in the western zone with the privacy and calm they seek in a weekend get-a-way. The family area is a relatively denser space, accommodating a main 2-storey farmhouse and six closely placed villas. This layout connects the various programs with a central outdoor playground area creating a comfortable community feel. The main villa, houses a large, double height living area overlooking both the farm area and the small villas, anchoring the site and acting as the main focal point of the project. An indoor swimming pool and outdoor deck link the main farmhouse to the smaller villas. A combination of free standing walls and steel partitions are used extensively around the small villas to control the views, provide privacy, and enhance the architectural language. The small villas are identical with a living space, two ensuite bedrooms, and a private outdoor courtyard. Densely packed vegetation is placed behind the small villas to block the prevailing north-westerly winds to reduce the amount of dust and cool the winds flowing in.

Ausaj Farm’s orientation, and efficient space planning, clear zoning and the strategic use of walls, screens, and play of heights allowed for the creation of a comfortable indoor and outdoor environment, within the harsh desertscape of Kuwait.