The Multiplex Typoiogy: Living in Kuwait's Hybrid Homes

It has become the informal expression of specific living needs that is now ubiquitous across the city and more often than not, is rejected as a viable housing type. By shedding light onto an existing reality that, at times, hides behind the facades of the single-family villa; The Multiplex’s blatant existence cannot be further ignored. For the first time, everyday living patterns of Kuwaiti families were explored; by delving into the private space of the home and documenting daily activities of its inhabitants. In a welfare-driven state, the villa exemplifies the individuality and wealth of the oil-rich nation and is one of the pillars of the social contract between citizen and state. However, housing provisions that were viable half a century ago are no longer affordable today nor sustainable for the future.

This book is both an analytical documentation of the city’s current housing nuances, as well as a critique of existing socio-spatial relationships; that advocates for an alternative way of thinking about housing and urban development in Kuwait.