Abraj Al Kuwait |
Invited by the Kuwait National Council of Arts and Literature (NCCAL) to develop a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the remarkable water towers Abraj AL Kuwait in 2015, Sheridan was then a partner and director of GML Heritage. With Robert as a subconsultant heritage architect and assisted by GML's Steven Barry and the team at NCCAL a draft CMP was developed for the agencies that now manage the grade 1 listed heritage site.
The project continued after Sheridan’s resignation from GML and the CMP was completed in 2017, and is used to support the sites nomination for World Heritage listing. This CMP assessed the opportunities and constraints affecting the site management and provides practical conservation policies to conserve and manage Abraj Al-Kuwait. Policies are included which apply to the Towers and its core landscaped area together with specific policies which relate to its significant spaces and elements as well as the site’s buffer zone.
The towers are the work of Danish designer Malene Bjorn, operating as a consultant for the Swedish firm VBB in 1967. She created a culturally responsive design and a monument that took full advantage of its landmark setting on the Gulf. Bjorn used ‘ideals of humanity and technology, symbolised by the globe and the rocket, respectively. Reference to the Islamic past through the minaret-like quality of the shafts and through the multi coloured mosaic-like facing of the globes, recalling the tiled domes of historic mosques and shrines, was a welcome result of the completed design.’ Abraj Al-Kuwait has exceptional significance to Kuwait and the region as part of an ambitious plan to introduce modern architecture and innovative technology, from the best international engineers, architects and infrastructure suppliers through a grand design for the supply of water to an entire city. Incorporating public viewing facilities and restaurants facilitated Kuwaitis and visitors alike to see and understand the transformation of Kuwait and the comprehensive redevelopment of the city.
This CMP was the first to be prepared in Kuwait and set the benchmark standard for such documents. It has been used to assist the successful application for A Keeping it Modern grant from the Getty Foundation to develop a strategy to repair the steel attachments of the enamelled discs of the domes.
The experience of working with the expert team at NCCAL to conserve these unique buildings was an extraordinary challenge and opportunity for us as heritage professionals.
The project continued after Sheridan’s resignation from GML and the CMP was completed in 2017, and is used to support the sites nomination for World Heritage listing. This CMP assessed the opportunities and constraints affecting the site management and provides practical conservation policies to conserve and manage Abraj Al-Kuwait. Policies are included which apply to the Towers and its core landscaped area together with specific policies which relate to its significant spaces and elements as well as the site’s buffer zone.
The towers are the work of Danish designer Malene Bjorn, operating as a consultant for the Swedish firm VBB in 1967. She created a culturally responsive design and a monument that took full advantage of its landmark setting on the Gulf. Bjorn used ‘ideals of humanity and technology, symbolised by the globe and the rocket, respectively. Reference to the Islamic past through the minaret-like quality of the shafts and through the multi coloured mosaic-like facing of the globes, recalling the tiled domes of historic mosques and shrines, was a welcome result of the completed design.’ Abraj Al-Kuwait has exceptional significance to Kuwait and the region as part of an ambitious plan to introduce modern architecture and innovative technology, from the best international engineers, architects and infrastructure suppliers through a grand design for the supply of water to an entire city. Incorporating public viewing facilities and restaurants facilitated Kuwaitis and visitors alike to see and understand the transformation of Kuwait and the comprehensive redevelopment of the city.
This CMP was the first to be prepared in Kuwait and set the benchmark standard for such documents. It has been used to assist the successful application for A Keeping it Modern grant from the Getty Foundation to develop a strategy to repair the steel attachments of the enamelled discs of the domes.
The experience of working with the expert team at NCCAL to conserve these unique buildings was an extraordinary challenge and opportunity for us as heritage professionals.