Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies / Adaptive Reuse
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Eduardo Benamor Duarte
Abstract
This thesis explores how art and adaptive reuse can transform abandoned buildings in Kuwait City into vibrant cultural and artistic hubs that honor the nation’s tribal and artistic heritage and bridge the gap between past and present. Through repurposing these neglected spaces, Kuwait can preserve its historical identity while creating homes for contemporary design and creativity. This transformation revitalizes urban environments, and fosters a sense of belonging and community by integrating heritage with contemporary artistic expression. This project envisions the transformation of “The Old Amiri Hospital” into an artistic cultural hub that celebrates the traditional craft of Al-Sadu weaving, merged with contemporary art and design. This prototypical project aims to pave the way for a broader vision: turning Kuwait City into a living gallery where repurposed buildings narrate diverse tribal and artistic legacies, each celebrating a unique aspect of Kuwait’s cultural identity. This approach offers preservation, healing of the tribal system in the country and promotion of diversity of tribal Identities. Adaptive reuse is a powerful tool for cultural sustainability, emphasizing that buildings are more than physical structures, they embody historical narratives, traditions, and collective experiences. A central aspect of this thesis involves examining how adaptive reuse can revive historical narratives, fostering a renewed sense of belonging by reconnecting Kuwaitis in this generation with their artistic heritage, ensuring that cultural traditions are preserved and reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. An experiential path woven with the spirit of Al-Sadu. Through a sequence of spaces of texture, light, and digital immersion, the building becomes a site where memory and contemporary creation intertwine. More than a singular intervention, it lays the foundation for a city-wide vision: transforming abandoned structures throughout Kuwait City into vibrant centers of artistic expression, each celebrating a unique thread of the nation’s tribal and artistic legacy. Together, these revitalized spaces aim to preserve cultural memories, strengthen communal identity, and inspire future generations through the dynamic integration of heritage and innovation.
Recommended Citation
Almazeedi, Dalal M., "Al-Naseej: A Woven Path" (2025). Masters Theses. 1410.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1410
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