Kuwait Towers stands out as ‘Icon of Modern Architecture in Arab World’

The Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Observatory has officially included the Kuwait Towers in its Arab Heritage List under the modern architecture category. The announcement came during the Observatory’s ninth regional forum held in Beirut, which concluded today.

Engineer Mahmoud Al-Rabiah from the Historic Buildings Restoration Department at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters confirmed that the inclusion followed Kuwait’s nomination of the Towers as a significant cultural property.

Al-Rabiah explained that the Kuwait Towers were one of two entries classified under modern architecture at the forum, noting that other accepted files mostly reflected ancient or archaeological heritage, reports Al-Rai daily.

He emphasized that the Council’s choice of the Kuwait Towers stemmed from their architectural distinction and symbolic value, describing them as “a Kuwaiti landmark that represents a unique human experience.”

The Towers were originally designed not just as water storage, but as a visionary solution for urban expansion and water demand in Kuwait City and its growing suburbs.

“Those who built the towers sought to deliver water in a beautiful and creative way, which added a cultural and aesthetic dimension the Arabian Gulf can take pride in,” he said.

He added that the Kuwait Towers stand as a forward-looking architectural achievement and a defining feature of Kuwait’s modern national identity.

The successful nomination file was prepared in collaboration with Engineer Dalal Al-Nomas, with the support of Zahraa Ali Baba, Head of the Restoration and Preservation Department, and under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council.

Al-Rabiah concluded by noting that Kuwait is also home to numerous pre-modern heritage sites, reflecting the country’s rich historical and architectural legacy.