Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City

Central Bank of Kuwait – Kuwait City, Kuwait
Project overview

The Central Bank of Kuwait’s headquarters forms a landmark on the Kuwait City skyline with its striking geometrical form. Designed by Hadi Teherani Architects and completed in 2011, the building houses banking halls, offices and conference facilities across two interlocking volumes. A dramatic entrance lobby connects the volumes and welcomes visitors to the institution. The bank’s public atrium required controlled natural light and pleasant thermal conditions in a region characterised by extreme heat and intense solar radiation.

Design challenge

The 2 000 m² entrance foyer is enclosed by a double‑skin façade consisting of an outer inclined wall and an inner alabaster shell. The façade tilt of 10° reduces solar incidence but still allows significant direct sunlight. Maintaining comfortable temperatures and visual quality in this huge space is challenging: the glazing must shield against temperatures exceeding 50 °C outside while offering a luminous, inviting interior. Moreover, Kuwait’s desert climate generates dust that could soil exterior shading devices, complicating maintenance.

RetroSolar strategy

To achieve the necessary environmental performance, the outer façade incorporates RETROLuxTherm 20 mm louvers oriented horizontally
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. These micro‑louvers reflect direct sunlight back towards the sky, functioning similarly to a light shelf that brightens the ceiling and diffuses daylight into the lower parts of the foyer. Above the foyer, the roof employs RETROFlexTherm louvers in a horizontal position to redirect diffuse light into the space
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. The inner alabaster shell acts as a translucent diffuser, scattering the redirected light and creating a serene ambiance. Approximately 2 500 m² of RetroSolar louvers were installed
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.

Building physics and performance

The two‑shell design, with retro‑reflective louvers and translucent alabaster, provides effective solar control without resorting to dark, absorbing glass. The micro‑louvers significantly reduce the solar heat‑gain coefficient and protect the thermal insulation of the façades. By deflecting direct solar radiation, the louvers prevent glare and localised overheating. The alabaster inner shell ensures an even distribution of the redirected light, producing a comfortable brightness in the foyer. This strategy avoids the need for energy‑intensive mechanical cooling and reduces maintenance compared with exterior blinds.

Architectural outcome and significance

Visitors to the Central Bank of Kuwait experience a bright and dignified entrance hall that reflects the institution’s stature while demonstrating environmental stewardship. The retro‑reflective louvers allow daylight to animate the atrium and highlight architectural details of the alabaster walls without exposing occupants to harsh sunlight. This project showcases how RetroSolar systems can be adapted to iconic public buildings in the Middle East, delivering both functional and symbolic benefits.