The Motor Sports Complex Museum, which is located next to a new race track and a dragster speedway, is another component of the development in Kuwait City. Designed by Marc Anton Dahmen / Studio DMTW, its main function is to be a public showroom for the King‘s private collection of vintage racing cars. Besides the main exhibition hall with approximately 50 cars, it also houses a pit building including a garage for restaurant, a driving school for kids, a small conference center, a cinema and some private VIP spaces. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The volume is split into three main parts which are stacked on top of each other. The public layer in the middle – in between all the car-related facilities on the ground floor and the conference spaces and VIP area on the top floor – acts as kind of an open transparent gap, presenting all the King‘s cars. A concrete landscape transforms from the exhibition space on the one side to a concentric tribune on the other side – allowing view connections to the upper and lower levels. A big ramp leads up to the main exhibition floor, serving as a drop off zone for the King‘s special guests, covering the main entrance on the groundfloor.
Due to the local climate the major part of the outer facade is closed. The heavy concrete structure provides enough mass to cool down the entire building. Only the „gap“ is totally glazed. A huge set back protects the exhibition space from direct sunlight and provides diffuse natural lighting and a great view over the whole race track.
Architects: Marc Anton Dahmen / Studio DMTW Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Status: Commission / on hold Year: 2012
