KOC Old Display Center. kw

Location:Ahmadi

Country:Kuwait

Status:Under Construction

Client:Kuwait Oil Company

Area (sqm):1,650

The renovation of the KOC Display Center in Ahmadi reimagines the existing facility as an immersive exhibition and cultural environment dedicated to the history of Kuwait Oil Company and its relationship with Ahmadi and its people.

The design organizes the visitor experience as a journey through KOC’s beginnings, the development and landmarks of Ahmadi, operations, housing, work, everyday life, sports and leisure, notable figures, and the evolving history of the Display Center itself. Archival photographs, artifacts, interactive installations and multimedia are integrated into a continuous spatial narrative.

A predominantly dark and reflective material palette allows the historical material to emerge through carefully orchestrated light, projection and illuminated displays. Modular exhibition elements provide flexibility for changing content, while a central cinema introduces another layer of storytelling within the exhibition sequence.

Alongside the permanent exhibition, the project incorporates a flexible temporary exhibition gallery, a redesigned Diwaniya and conference facilities. The Diwaniya draws on the spatial character of traditional vaulted forms through a contemporary sculpted ceiling and a warmer palette of stone and timber, establishing a counterpoint to the immersive darkness of the main galleries.

Together, these interventions transform the Display Center into a contemporary setting for memory, heritage and collective experience, connecting KOC’s institutional history with the social history of Ahmadi.

Manarat Al Khafji is a civic cultural center located in Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia. Conceived as a contemporary landmark along the Arabian Gulf, the project integrates architecture, landscape, and public space into a unified urban destination. The design extends the coastal edge into an activated civic promenade, creating a layered environment that connects retail, culture, and leisure through a continuous spatial experience.

Project Overview

Situated at the intersection of land and sea, Manarat Al Khafji redefines the traditional civic center as an immersive public landscape. The project unfolds as a gently undulating architectural surface, forming a continuous roofscape that mediates between built form and open space. This approach transforms the building into an accessible topography rather than a singular object.

Architectural Concept

The design draws inspiration from the movement of coastal waves, translating this into a fluid architectural language that shapes both circulation and form. A shaded souk promenade acts as the project’s spine, extending over 250 meters and organizing the spatial sequence of retail, dining, and cultural programs. Vertical and horizontal transitions are choreographed to create a dynamic journey through terraces, arcades, and layered public spaces.

Program & Spatial Experience

Beneath the lifted landscape, an underground concert hall is embedded within the الأرض, offering an intimate performance venue integrated into the site’s topography. Above, a panoramic observatory and slender lighthouse tower establish a visual anchor for the project, reinforcing its identity as a civic landmark. The interplay between enclosed and open spaces allows the project to function as both a destination and a continuous public realm.

Materiality & Environmental Strategy

The project balances heritage and innovation by referencing regional architectural principles while adopting contemporary construction techniques. Shaded arcades, layered façades, and controlled openings mitigate solar exposure, creating comfortable microclimates throughout the development. Material selections emphasize durability and tactility, reinforcing the project’s identity within its coastal desert context.

Location

Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia