Residential SERIES  •  Project FEATURE

A Harmonious Response – Three Gardens House by AGi Architects

The design team at AGi architects approached the problem by reimagining outdoor living at various levels, classifying activities into evening and daytime, summer and winter. While this separation might seem unnecessary for those accustomed to Mediterranean climates, it is a logical and natural response for families familiar with Kuwait’s extreme conditions.

Understanding the region’s limitations, AGi architects created three distinct gardens, each with its unique role depending on the time of day and season. At the heart of this design is the Wet Garden, located on the ground floor. This garden is designed to be functional even in the hottest parts of the year. Here, the house’s main social spaces converge around the cooling presence of water, where a pool and fountains not only add aesthetic value but also serve a practical purpose—providing relief during the harsh summer heat. This wet garden acts as an oasis, harnessing water's cooling power to allow for comfortable outdoor activities. The same perforated metal skin used on the roof plays a key role in privacy and shading throughout the home. It shields the inner courtyards from the harsh Kuwaiti sun, creating comfortable, shaded spaces that are still visually connected to the exterior.

"In Kuwait's unforgiving climate, the Three Gardens House redefines how a family can live with nature, embracing outdoor spaces all year round."

Below street level, AGi architects introduce the Summer Garden, positioned four meters beneath the ground. Here, the thermal mass of the surrounding soil plays a crucial role in keeping the area cooler. Water is again a key feature, this time with a large sheet of it evaporating to lower the temperature through convection, refreshing the air as it rises towards the house’s upper levels. This subterranean garden acts as a refuge from the Kuwaiti sun, offering a cool retreat during the hottest months of the year.

The final layer in this outdoor trilogy is the Winter Garden, found on the roof. Designed for both the mild winter days and the warm summer nights, the rooftop space is sheltered by a perforated metal skin that blocks direct solar radiation, allowing the space to be used comfortably even when temperatures rise. This “deployé” mesh—made of anodized aluminum—filters sunlight, providing a mix of shade and privacy, while also shielding the garden from the neighborhood's prying eyes. This intelligent use of materials protects both the inhabitants and the vegetation from the harshness of Kuwait’s climate.

"The interplay of light, water, and air is at the heart of this design, creating a sanctuary that responds to both environment and lifestyle."

These three gardens are visually and physically connected through exterior staircases, blending into one unified outdoor space. The layout of the home revolves around these voids, creating an interplay between indoors and outdoors. The architects prioritized views and circulation, ensuring the gardens form the central spine of the house’s layout. Every corner of the home, from social spaces to private rooms, is crafted around this central idea, enhancing the connection between nature and architecture.

Equally crucial to the home’s design is the consideration of internal circulation. The client’s concept of "family" played a pivotal role in shaping this. The architects created a hierarchy of space that subtly filters guests and inhabitants, ensuring those closest to the family can move freely throughout the residence while maintaining a level of privacy. The paths throughout the home, both vertical and horizontal, are designed to offer flexibility and flow. There is no single route from one space to another; instead, multiple pathways allow residents to choose different ways to move through the house, enhancing the living experience through variety and choice.

All public areas of the home remain visually connected, allowing natural light to filter in and create an airy, open environment, while the private spaces look outward, maintaining a sense of seclusion. The contrast between the external facade, clad in uniform stone, and the inner courtyard—finished in reflective white ceramic tile—creates a striking duality. The exterior is shielded and protected, while the interior is open, bright, and filled with natural light.

In essence, Three Gardens House by AGi architects is a masterful exploration of how architecture can respond to and thrive within challenging climates. By stratifying the outdoor spaces into distinct layers, the architects have crafted a home that seamlessly integrates comfort and function, while embracing the beauty of the natural world. This design element is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves the practical purpose of allowing the house to blend seamlessly with its environment while protecting its inhabitants from the elements.