A quick search on Google for Qatar, and amongst the description of the country’s varied landscapes, websites also talk about the capital city – Doha. Doha is the most populated city in Qatar as well as the financial hub of the country. With a lot of international and domestic organisations having their headquarters in Doha, so many expatriates living in the country, and Doha being the host to many international events, it has given way to iconic infrastructures. Doha is the home to some of the world’s futuristic and tallest buildings. This article examines some of the famous buildings of Doha architecture.
Museum of Islamic Art
Designed by the star architect I.M Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art is one of the most famous buildings in Doha. I.M. Pei who was in his 80s at the time of this building’s initial phases, was a retired architect but was convinced to work on this building. The Chinese-American architect designed this monumental building in a way that was familiar yet new to the residents of Doha. The Museum which houses numerous Islamic arts, reflects in its architecture the same. A blend of traditional Islamic architectural elements are combined into a modern style. Situated along the seaside on Corniche in Doha, the building is situated such that no new buildings can obstruct the light that falls onto the museum. The building’s main attraction is its five-storied atrium around which galleries are surrounded.
The Islamic inspiration in the buildings is its essence. The simplicity. I.M. Pei chose to use simplicity which is used in Islamic architecture rather than any specific element. The geometric patterns of the Islamic world have also been used to provide decoration to the spaces of the museum. Locally, the building is faced with a cream-coloured limestone whereas a number of textures have been used in the interiors in order to act as a background to the works of art displayed in the museum. On entering the interior, one comes across a whole lot of ornamental patterns and shape decorations adorning the interior of the museum.
Al Thumama Stadium
The Al Thumama stadium is a football stadium that is located in the Al Thumama district of Doha. It was built in 2021 for the FIFA World Cup, 2022. It was designed by Ibrahim Jaidah Architects and Engineers. The building is inspired by a gahfiya which is a traditional headwear worn by many men in Arab countries. This can be seen reflected in the latticework of the facade of the stadium that closely mimics the lattice on a gahfiya. Rhomboid fibreglass pieces are used in the facade to achieve this design while also controlling the amount of light entering the stadium. With the cultural representation and the high-end technology used to achieve the construction, the mix of modern and cultural can be seen in the Al Thumama stadium. The amalgamation of tradition, culture and modernity is a repetitive pattern seen in modern Doha architecture.
The stadium has a capacity of 44,400 seats which can be reduced to around 20,000 seats when matches are not going on. The head-shaped canopy acts as a shade for spectators and provides lower heat temperatures within the stadium. There are plans to remove the upper tier to reduce the capacity of the stadium and build boutique rooms in its stead. The stadium is in a site of 514,000 sqm area. While the stadium covers 114,000 sqm of area, the surroundings are lush gardens.
National Museum of Qatar
Designed by Atelier Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar is a marvel. The museum is 40,000 sqm. With its interlocking disc form, it stands apart from the rigid lines of the skyscrapers and surrounding buildings. A true representation of futuristic. Built-in 2019, the building is inspired by a mineral – desert rose – that is commonly found in the deserts of the Gulf region. While the interlocking discs remind one of a desert rose, their purpose is not entirely aesthetic. The overhangs of the discs serve as shade for visitors viewing outside cultural events or simply taking a stroll. The sand-coloured facade is in tune with the desert landscapes of Qatar. The elliptical circles of the museum have undulations that mimic the majestic dunes of the desert.
Besides the built architecture that is visible from a distance, the landscaping of the park situated in the museum is also a unique architecture of its own. The park includes a playground, kiosks, praying rooms, outdoor galleries and a heritage garden. The park’s landscaping recreates the topography of Qatar by showcasing low dunes, flooded crops, and gardens modelled after oases and sabkhas. It serves as a place where visitors can gain knowledge about local Qatari species. A parking area is seamlessly integrated into the park as well.
Al Wahda Arches
With a height of a whopping 100m, the Al Wahda Arches are one of Qatar’s most prominent landmarks. The twin steel arches that crisscross the Lusail Expressway were created by German architect Erik Behrens for AECOM as a cohesive representation of the nation’s progressive outlook, nationalist pride, and rich pearl-diving legacy. The sculpture is best viewed in motion, appearing to kinetically change in dynamic displays of shifting light and perspective as visitors pass through the Al Wahda interchange. This makes for a memorable kinetic viewing experience. The immersive Al Wahda Arches by Erik Behrens elevates the idea of a monument above conventional figurative objects and simple structural genius. The public artwork, which draws inspiration from Qatar’s proud maritime cultural heritage and the ring and net of traditional pearl divers’ satchels, is an elegant blend of traditional beauty and neo-futuristic design. By adding a sensory component, the architect creates a unique dynamic relationship between the Al Wahda Arches and the observer. Drivers experience a cinematic viewing experience as they approach the junction and choose to drive through, across, or around it. From every changing angle, the sculpture continuously transforms, producing a poetic, dynamic experience.
References:
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- Doha landmarks and iconic buildings you can’t miss | Time Out Doha. (2023). Time Out Doha. [online] 6 Oct. Available at: https://www.timeoutdoha.com/attractions/doha-landmarks-iconic-buildings [Accessed 28 Jul. 2024].
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- Behrens, E. (2022). soaring al wahda arches intertwine to mark qatar’s thriving future & pearl-diving heritage. [online] designboom | architecture & design magazine. Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/soaring-al-wahda-arches-intertwine-qatar-future-pearl-diving-heritage-erik-behrens-12-01-2022/.
