Tuesday, 4 August 2026
The Kuwait Green Building Council (KGBC) welcomed students from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) as part of their annual Student Summer Training Program (SSTP) in Shuwaikh. The workshop introduced students to sustainable building materials, circular construction principles, and the value of earth-based architecture through a combination of expert talks and an interactive design challenge.
Learning from One of the World's Oldest Building Materials
The day focused on the lifecycle of building materials and how material choices shape the environmental impact of the built environment. Particular attention was given to clay and earth, one of the world's oldest and most sustainable construction materials.
KGBC welcomed Lulu AlAwadhi and Judith from Trba Studio, who introduced students to the different types of clay found across Kuwait and explored the long history of building with earth. The session demonstrated how traditional construction methods continue to inspire sustainable, climate-responsive architecture today, while highlighting the importance of using locally available materials.
From Deconstruction to Design
Following the presentations, students participated in an interactive design challenge centered around circular construction and adaptive reuse. Instead of treating buildings at the end of their life as waste, the activity encouraged students to view them as valuable sources of reusable materials.
Working in teams, students were given an inventory of salvaged materials from the deconstruction of the Thunayan Al Ghanim Building
in Kuwait City. Using only these recovered materials, each team was challenged to design a shaded bus stop that responded to Kuwait's climate while maximizing material reuse.
The exercise encouraged students to think creatively about structural design, material selection, and how existing building components can be repurposed to serve new community needs.
Giving Materials a Second Life
The workshop reinforced the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of building materials—from sourcing and construction to deconstruction and reuse. By combining lessons from traditional earth architecture with principles of the circular economy, students gained a practical understanding of how thoughtful design can reduce waste and extend the value of existing resources.
Through discussion, collaboration, and hands-on problem solving, the workshop inspired participants to rethink the future of construction and recognize that sustainable design is not only about building new, but also about giving materials a second life.