Wadha Almutawa

Wadha Almutawa is a PhD Candidate in History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation, titled, “The Child in the City: Play and the Architectural Design of the Kindergarten Community Unit in Modern Kuwait, 1952-1982,” examines the role of the child in the modern city. Her research largely focuses on demonstrating and critiquing the importance of the appearance of the child and the notion of the family in the Kindergarten Community Unit in the making of modern Kuwait. Through her dissertation, Wadha aims to highlight the importance progressive ideas about urbanism had in the design and planning of modern schools, playgrounds, and Kindergarten Community Units in modern Kuwait for understanding how best to create environments that encourage social engagements and child play in 21stcentury Kuwait.

Wadha received her professional Bachelor of Architecture from Kuwait University in 2015 and a Master of Architecture from Kansas State University 2018.

CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS

• ‘Collaboration’ in the works of Lady Allen of Hurtwood,” in Humanities+Urbanism+Design (H+U+D) Colloquium, February 10th, 2023.