Habbas, or trends, as they are locally called, often come and go in Kuwait, but Padel has taken on a life of its own in the small desert nation. Here at bazaar, we appreciate a good habba, especially because Kuwait does them well. But more importantly, this easy-to-pick-up, racket sport is getting people to exercise more and socialize–two things we absolutely can get behind. A sportier locale is a happier locale, and for those who appreciate the finer things in life, the Padel CT Privé hall is the stuff of legends. An intersection of Padel and luxury has arrived, and it is oh-so-fabulous.
The originally Mexican sport is most definitely here to stay, but it just hits different in Kuwait. If the frequency of Padel courts popping up in every neighborhood hasn’t convinced you of this phenomenon, then one visit to Padel CT Privé Hall will. Designed and executed by Thouq Studio for Padel CT, the concept of the Privé Hall, equipped with your very own butler service, of course, embodies how Kuwait’s youth has embraced Padel and celebrates it.
The custom-designed private Padel court envisioned for Padel CT’s VIP customers has taken months of studying and prep by Thouq Studio founders Ahmad Al-Ghanim and Bader Alhejailan, and we can confidently say that we haven’t seen anything like this space in the world. We’ve done our deep dive into the most glamorous Padel courts across the globe, and learned that world-class Padel experiences are mostly defined by its surroundings. Consider, for instance, Maldivian seaside backdrops or green Argentinian hills, with Padel courts fully equipped to deliver an experience that makes you supremely connected to nature. With Padel CT Privé Hall, you will be immersed in an entirely different design ethos. One that is distinctly Kuwaiti, emblematic of everything that Thouq Studio stands for. Ahmad and Bader bring together a love of sport and art, presenting a new ideology of how Padel can be enjoyed in Kuwait. “There is a clear love for Padel in Kuwait. Exercise and experiencing the game in an entirely new ambiance underlined our design process when it came to working on this special, private hall,” says Ahmad.
Thouq has inspired the minds of many people over the past two decades, whether we consider the cult following of thouqers shopping their latest offerings in merch, fashion, home accessories, and art, to the many projects they work on at Thouq Studio from residential homes to office spaces and cafés, and now Padel courts. What unites all of these various creative facets is an inimitable aesthetic we are decidedly naming the ‘Thouq effect’, which blends the best of two worlds, the essence of Arabia and the charm of the West.
Everything about Padel CT’s Privé Hall is custom-designed, from the oil on canvas art pieces adorning the court’s walls to the furniture. Pops of the fluorescent green chosen for the hall’s comfortable seat cushions are emblazoned with the Adidas logo, juxtaposed against an energetic, electric blue that takes over the rest of the space. You can’t help but feel a powerful surge of excitement course through your veins once you’ve stepped foot inside the court. Maybe we were excited for the game to come, or it might have been the sight of Coco Chanel wielding a Padel racket that instantly put a spring in our step. Padel C.T is powered by Adidas, and the Privé Hall also features special edition Padel rackets which are provided to visitors upon booking this private court.
All of the custom art in Padel CT Privé Hall references the Padel racket, and this is an intentional decision by the gurus at Thouq Studio. “We wanted to inject an element of fun into the space, to think out of the box,” Ahmad tells bazaar, “we really wanted to create an ambiance like no other for Padel CT Privé Hall.” Pristine, black and white photography perfectly complements the custom art, and court photographs serve almost as an ode to the sport of Padel, elegantly decorating the space for the VIP private suites at Padel CT Privé Hall.
The hall offers two private suites, each with its own changing room and private shower room. Prepare to fall in love with the ombré-washed, gray, and blue oversized settees, and relax in between games by nibbling on carefully curated snacks and refreshing drinks. Hand-blown Murano glass lamps add another level of luxury to the private suites.
The fluorescent green cushion seats which feature on the ground and upper-level areas of the private court are fashioned into made-to-measure metal wire armchairs. These are spread evenly throughout the court, giving the space a unique industrial aesthetic, but also matching the metal construction of the courts themselves. Rest assured, however, that wherever you choose to sit, all the seats in this private hall will give you pristine views of all of the action happening inside the courts.
For Thouq Studio, form and function are equally important, and no detail was spared to make this project truly shine. Even the flooring of the courts, its surrounding hallways, and the walls seamlessly blend together in the commanding tones of regal blue, beckoning visitors to stand by and admire the art. “All the different tones of blue deliver a beautiful, monochromatic effect,” Bader says, “We love how blue is a very friendly color, and it is so welcoming. This is why opted for the overall look and feel of the space to be represented in its varying shades.” An ode to Kuwait’s culture that is deeply rooted in the art of hospitality, and its historic marine culture. Each and every zone inside this private court is special, and your eyes will keep noticing little nuances, like the bespoke, hourglass sand clocks placed atop the sleek tables which serve as a nod to Kuwait’s desert-scape, but also the importance of this beloved sport in its Kuwaiti locale.
This is Thouq Studio’s interpretation of how art and sport intertwine, and we’re here for it.
Padel CT has three locations in Kuwait. For more information and to book the Privé Hall, check out @padel.ct on Instagram. For more on Thouq Studio, check out @Thouq.studio on Instagram.
