SSH picked up Public Sector project of the Year prize at the 2017 CID Awards for its work on the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Cultural Centre in Kuwait.
“The ambition [behind the project] was to create a new architectural reference for the Middle East, with technical and multi-functional theatres to establish it as one of the state-of-the-art performance venues in the world. The client’s brief given to the interior designer was to create ‘a jewel within a jewel’’, the firm described.
“SSH interpreted the interior design brief to be one of rich layers of internal cladding that develops in richness as you enter the foyers, and that increases in intensity and texture as it flows into the performance spaces.”
The judges appreciated the modern twist on Arab architecture with ‘its graphite colouring’ and the use of symbolic patterns and poetry rendered in a contemporary and artistic style.
The project was particularly praised for the way it plays with light and shadow.
“We are very happy and this was a very challenging project. No words can describe our emotions and feelings. Our project has four components to it and its one of a kind. We have a new cultural centre in the wraps and we’ll keep that for next year,” said the team at SSH upon winning the award.
Highly commended by the judges as a great space that not only promotes productivity, but socialising, connectivity and creativity was Sheraa Entrepreneurship Center by Pallavi Dean Interiors.
The award was presented by Mohamed Barakat, international sales manager from Bradley.