Kuwait Souq Sharq

Souq Sharq was the first mall to create a major shopping attraction along the Gulf road. The Mall applies strategies of post modern architecture by utilizing traditional elements from Kuwaiti architecture in a modern way. The longitudinal interconnected 2-floors pathways host shops and restaurants. It transformed the traditional wind captures (badjirs) into mechanical rooms for air-conditioning units. The design is criticized for locating the main view of the mall towards the city and the marina while locating the parking lots towards the Gulf. The badjirs were also criticized as “unauthentic” to Kuwaiti traditional architecture.