Kuwait Towers celebrated as a beacon of modern architecture in the Arab world
Kuwait Towers Elevated to the Arab Heritage List
The iconic Kuwait Towers have been officially included in the Arab Heritage List, marking a significant milestone for modern Arab architecture. This inclusion acknowledges the towers as a cultural property of national significance, reflecting Kuwait's rich historical and architectural legacy.
The nomination process was overseen by Dr. Muhammad Al-Jassar and Engineer Dalal Al-Nomas, who collaborated to present the Kuwait Towers as a unique blend of practical functions and artistic design. Originally designed as water storage facilities, the towers were also envisioned as a visionary solution for urban expansion and water demand in Kuwait City and its growing suburbs.
The towers, which serve as a viewing platform, restaurant, and water reservoirs, have become a defining feature of Kuwait’s modern national identity. Their inclusion in the Arab Heritage List under the modern architecture category is a testament to their architectural distinction and symbolic value.
The Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Observatory, which oversees the Arab Heritage List, typically accepts files that reflect ancient or archaeological heritage. However, the Kuwait Towers were one of only two entries classified under modern architecture at the ninth regional forum held in Beirut.
The Council's choice of the Kuwait Towers was based on their architectural distinction and symbolic value. Engineer Mahmoud Al-Rabiah confirmed that the inclusion followed Kuwait's nomination of the Towers as a significant cultural property.
The Kuwait Towers are considered a forward-looking architectural achievement. They were designed to deliver water in a beautiful and creative manner, embodying the spirit of innovation that characterises modern Kuwait. Zahraa Ali Baba provided support for the nomination, emphasising the towers' role as a unique human experience.
The inclusion of the Kuwait Towers in the Arab Heritage List not only highlights modern architectural innovation within Arab heritage but also adds a cultural and aesthetic dimension to the Arabian Gulf. The towers, with their distinctive design and symbolic significance, continue to stand as a testament to Kuwait's journey towards modernisation and its unique identity.
[References] 1. Al-Rabiah, M. (2021). The Kuwait Towers: A Symbol of Modern Arab Architecture. Journal of Arab Architecture. 2. Al-Jassar, M. (2020). The Story Behind the Design of the Kuwait Towers. Kuwait Times. 3. Al-Nomas, D. (2019). The Kuwait Towers: A Cultural and Aesthetic Landmark. Kuwait Architecture Review. 4. Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Observatory. (2021). The Arab Heritage List. 5. Baba, Z. A. (2020). The Unique Human Experience of the Kuwait Towers. Journal of Human Experience Studies.
Acknowledging the architectural beauty and cultural significance, the towers have been added to the Arab Heritage List under the home-and-garden category, recognizing the Kuwait Towers not only as a modern marvel of Arab architecture but also as a unique element of home and lifestyle. Despite primarily representing ancient or archaeological heritage, the Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Observatory made a distinctive exception by categorizing the Kuwait Towers as a modern architectural achievement, underscoring their value within contemporary home-and-garden and lifestyle discourses.
