by sindhu nair

ifteen years ago, Doha was devoid

of any architectural innovation.
The word ‘architecture’ referred
only to the small buildings
reminiscent of an earlier period of
Qatar’s history.
But now slowly and surely, the
architectural landscape of the
country is changing, with world
famous architects designing
important landmarks – like the
Museum of Islamic Art by I M Pei.
That’s one facet of the construc-
tion boom; the other is the pillars
of glass dotting the Corniche.

38 Qatar Today march 10

he West Bay currently has 104* listed towers; The
Pearl-Qatar has over 35* towers; the Barwa
Financial District, Al Waab City and Lusail all have
numerous residential and commercial towers in
the masterplan. The glass towers at the West Bay,
though modern in design, are not best suited for
the desert climate, and are classified as
‘environmental disasters’.
In a country that is emphasising its cultural
roots,do these glass blocks convey the culture
and the traditions to the world? Why should a
country which has a distinct Qatari
architecture so suited for its climatic condition
copy a style that is clearly not its own?
Qatar Today poses this question to those in the
field – some who have been witnesses of this
growth and others who were actively involved in
the process. We explore the built environment and
map the architectural growth of the country.
*( Emphoris.com, which lists the tall buildings in the world.)

march 10 Qatar Today 39

Aesthetic Development
At the recent launch of the Knowledge
Enrichment Centre, Her Highness Sheikha
Mozah bint Nasser Al Misned commented
on the gap between the country’s modern
buildings and its cultural traditions. To bridge
the gap, she called on Doha’s architects to
base their architectural innovation on the
historic Qatari building style.
Issa Al Mohannadi, CEO of Dohaland,
has been instrumental in conceptualising
projects that have an identity rooted in
history. He says that the built environment
of the country is more of a blind replication
rather than a representative evolution of
regional aesthetics.
“The pattern of development and growth in
recent decades has tended towards isolated
(single) land uses with a modernistic urban
sprawl and heavy reliance on car transport.
Most aesthetic values in architecture
were drawn from Western influences and
are marked by the anonymity of modern
architecture, with very few drawing
inspiration from Qatari heritage.
“Dohaland aims to reverse that trend,
and set Qatari and regional architecture on
the long forgotten path of developing and
evolving their own architectural language.”
He is quite emphatic when he says that
he wants the city to be recognisably Qatari,
and “we also want it to be sustainable and
environmental-friendly. More importantly, we
want it to be people-friendly.”
Ibrahim Jaidah, the Managing Director
of Arab Engineering Bureau, is passionate
about Arabic architecture and has been
trying hard to revive traditional art through
his designs. His work in the country has
won him three Arab Cities Award, one
Islamic Cities Award and three Aga Khan
nominations. He has recently written a
book, The History of Qatari Architecture,
which he says, ”will help the next generation
of designers know more about their own
form of architecture.”
He feels the emerging trends in aesthetics
are quite positive. As an example, he cites
the new law by the planning department
which states that buildings cannot be fully
40 Qatar Today march 10
“We want our city to
be recognised through
our architecture. When
someone visits our city,
or even sees a picture
of one of our buildings
in a postcard, we want
them to say, ‘Oh yes.
That is Qatar’ “
Issa Al Mohannadi,
CEO, Dohaland
fave STRUCTURES
Souk Waqif
Museum of Islamic Art
Qatar University
Qatar
Foundation buildings
glazed but has to use a combination of solid
structures and glass.
“These are good moves which will prevent
us from making architectural bloopers. It will
help avoid copying of world architecture here,
which has been a fad for some time now. It
is dangerous to have a fad in architecture
because fashion fades while architecture
should not.”
For Dr Yousef M Alhorr, Deputy CEO
(Operations) and Senior Strategist at Barwa,
aesthetics of design as well as ecological
factors are both important while preserving
the national identity.
“To achieve the environmental aims of
Qatar’s National Vision 2030, it is highly
recommended to capitalise on what has
been already achieved internationally,
and to build on it. In other words, now is
the right time to move the application of
sustainability and green building practices
from optional to compulsory status while
introducing a Qatari-made mechanism
supported by regulations and incentives.”
Barwa Real Estate and Qatari Diar Real
Estate Investment Company has announced
the adoption of green building philosophy
selecting Qatar Sustainability Assessment
System (QSAS) as the rating system.
“Impacts can be mitigated by encouraging
designs to align with cultural identity
and traditions, designing for a seamless
integration into the existing cultural fabric
and planning for the use of local materials
and workforce.”
Associate Director of Allies and Morrison
Architects and General Manager of their
Qatar branch office, Simon Gathercole
agrees wholeheartedly with HH Sheikha
Mozah’s observation. His firm is involved in
the Musheireb development by Dohaland.
He believes that Qatar’s culture and
heritage must be reflected in its buildings,
and his firm is striving to create that
architectural language.
“We’re exploring how architecture can
work to bridge the gap between 21st
century design and lessons from the past.
We do not want to mimic the past, but to
need to reinterpret it,” he says.
Director of Architecture at GHD, Martin
Hay compares facades to clothing.
“Most of us, if given the choice, would
not choose our clothing on the basis of
cost alone. Why then do we often put up
with facades in which the cheapest possible
solution is adopted to make a short-term
financial gain? Not only do they appear
shabby after a while, they also give the
impression that the owner does not care.”
He says that, while there are many fine
modern developments here, there are many
that aren’t.
“Architectural ‘style’ will always be
debated, however one cannot escape the
collective responsibility to ensure that at
the very least, buildings demonstrate a
commitment to quality,” he says.
“Personally, I am very fond of traditional
Qatari Architecture, however as in all other
parts of the world, this has developed from a
limited range of building typologies and needs
to be sensitively adapted. Developments in “It is dangerous to have fads
construction technology and sustainable in architecture because fads
development create new possibilities and fades while architecture
should not.”
the skill will be in incorporating the new
while respecting traditional cultural values,” Ibrahim Jaidah
says Hay. Managing Director
Director of Development – Qatar, Halcrow, ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU
Dean Thompson, feels that things are fave STRUCTURES
looking up in the construction sector. There
is a combination of good and bad in West Museum of Islamic Arts
Bay, that creates a vibrant character. Sheraton building
“I think to date, the speed at which Qpost building
things happened meant that quality wasn’t
considered as well as it should have, but
now with the sustainability initiatives that
are in place, everybody is slowing down and
saying, ‘we have to do more than just build Housing Issues

a building, we have to add value, make it
attractive to an occupier and to a tenant.’”
“But there are some really key architectural
buildings in the Education City. They are not
so overt that they compete with each other,
but there’s a character to the campus that
people can enjoy,” he says.
Infrastructure Woes
The development of a country does not lie
wholly in its architecture but also requires
creating an infrastructure that helps every-
thing fall in place.
Sadly, the infrastructure of the country is
far from perfect.
Al Mohannadi feels that there is a need
for prioritisation and coordination.
“Great strides are being made in
developing the infrastructure for Qatar. Major
investments are currently in place and are
being proposed for new rail, highway, power
and water, and telecoms improvement
across the whole country but the execution
pace is the key.”
He adds, “Accessibility is a key success
factor for any development. And developers
need to seriously consider innovative,
sustainable ideas to minimise the need of
using transportation, as much as possible. We
need to start thinking about the balanced
mixed land-use development concepts. On
the other hand, we also need to move fast
A
few years ago, Doha
had a serious problem
– lack of affordable
residential units. A
year of intensive
construction followed
and now the city seems to be spoilt for
choice. Does this reflect a surplus?
Jaidah feels that there was a shortage
and there has been a correction, which
points to a healthy state of affairs.
This surplus too, according to him, is
necessary for the correction of inflation
in the realty sector, .
Mohannadi says, “Typical suburban
housing density is low in Qatar and
this generates high transport demand
when residents drive to schools,
mosques, offices and shopping malls.
Housing density and provision should be
considered parallely with other amenities
such as health, education, transport and
job opportunities, to enable efficient
functioning of the city as a whole. It
to elevate the public transportation systems
so as to make it A-class and change the
local perception to adapt to and consider
more environmental friendly means of
transportation.”
is the mixed used concept that we
need to start thinking of to implement
sustainability into our daily life.”
The quality of construction can
definitely be improved, feels Al Mohannadi,
particularly in terms of overall planning
and sustainability.
Thompson feels that if development
continues in the same way as is targeted,
then there should not be any surplus. But
he also hits the nail on the head when
he says that housing for the low income
group is the critical need of the country.
“I see a shortage of housing in the
lower economic ranges. Dubai was a
prime example, catering completely
to the top end. Qatar has to cater to
the lower income bracket as well. The
country is basically developed by the
labour that’s here. So you need to cater
to them, and need to integrate them into
the society. Otherwise you end up with a
less stable environment than you would
normally have.”
Jaidah feels that, the infrastructure of the
country doesn’t match the development, but
the gap is narrowing.
“After five years, moving from one place
to another will be easier,” predicts Jaidah,

march 10 Qatar Today 41

“Monorails and underground rail system are
being planned, which will positively affect
the transport systems.”
Alhorr feels that there is no city that is
developing at the pace of Doha. “Enormous
geographical transformation means it is
inevitable that all parts of the city will move
forward at the same pace.”
Urban Connectivity (UC), says Alhorr,
consists of factors associated with the
zoning, transportation networks and
loadings.
“Loadings on the urban environment
include traffic congestion, pollution, and
waste/sewage infrastructure.
“Considering UC our responsibility is to be
able to offer a solid system while complying
with the essential elements of the urban
environment.”
Hay feels that, in a rapidly developing
country, infrastructure will always be lagging
behind. The transport system is already
under strain; water and drainage are in need
of major improvements too.
“Transport, water, sanitation and
utilities are fundamental prerequisites for
any successful city. These are expensive
and take time to implement. It is best to
make that investment at the beginning,
since retrofitting or refurbishing major
infrastructure in developed urban areas is
complex and unsustainable,” feels Hay.
Thompson deals with transportation
issues on a daily basis.
“At the moment, the public transport
system is not equipped to accommodate
all those who need it. We always have to
remember that with the hot climate here for
a certain part of the year, people are not
going to walk long distances from the tube
station to another location; they need some
way of moving around.
Now and later
What’s the look 15 years
hence?
The planning of the city has emphasised
aesthetics, says Jaidah.
“The shape of the Corniche and the radial
roads all add so much beauty to the city,”
42 Qatar Today march 10
identity of its own, and not be looked at as
a copy of another.
Mohannadi hopes to see “responsible
decisions” by developers and decision
makers to hold values, local culture and
sustainability at the heart of their identity.
“Going forward, I also hope to see Musheireb
and many other projects forming iconic
landmarks within the city – both culturally
and globally recognisable, yet providing a
“While it is important comfortable neighborhood to live, work and
for the status of thrive. I believe it will heavily influence many
Qatar to create steel local developments so Doha will have its
and glass towers to own brand of modern Qatari architecture.”
symbolise its vibrant,
Hay feels that, 15 years later, Doha will
modern Central Busi-
ness District, elsewhere become a city that offers high quality of
there is the need to lifestyle and facilities for major institutions,
merge local charac- businesses and for families or individuals
teristics of the natu- who can afford to invest or live here.
ral environment, cul- “Current developments such as The
ture, and lifestyle to
create an architectur- Pearl-Qatar, The Lusail development and
al style that is particularly the Musheireb project will
uniquely our own.” reinforce this.“
Qatar’s relatively small size is also its
Dr Yousef Alhorr strength, says Hay.
Deputy CEO, Barwa
“And there will be a point where it makes
more sense to sustain fewer developments of
higher quality than to create developments
he says, “But the planning of the residential for the sake of a transient property
areas is to be relooked. It doesn’t suit us at market.”
all. We should go back to earlier planning Thompson hopes that there is less
of Arab cities, with focus on pedestrian emphasis on high-rise.
facilities, meeting places and a sense of ”From an urban design point of view, if you
community living. All this has to come back, look at the heights of the buildings within
for a city to thrive.” Lusail, overall its human-scale buildings.
Jaidah wants the country to have an They are kept to the right scale. With high
“Architectural ‘style’ will al-
ways be debated, however one
cannot escape the collective
responsibility to ensure that at
the very least, buildings demon-
strate a commitment to quality”
Martin Hay
Director of Architecture, GHD
fave STRUCTURES
Khalifa Tower and Stadium
the Sheraton Hotel
the Islamic Cultural centre (Fanar)
the Qatar Science and Technology Park
and the Museum of Islamic Arts
rises, you have a high density population on
a very small piece of ground. This is not a
very healthy option.”
This kind of construction is not justified by
a lack of space, Thompson points out.
“The traditional Middle East architecture
is about small spaces, shaded allies, close
environments, close-knit communities. The
old buildings form natural spaces between
them to shade each other so you reduce
the heat load on buildings. It’s a very “We’re exploring how
different architecture. You don’t want your architecture can work
city to be filled with towers; you want it to bridge the gap
to be a sprawling communities. Proper between twenty-first
century design and
neighbourhoods,” says Thompson.
lessons from the past.
Gathercole echoes Jaidah’s sentiments, We do not want to
calling for a ‘pedestrian movement’ within mimic the past, but to
the city. reinterpret it”
“I feel that more work must be done to
encourage Qatari families to move back
Simon Gathercole,
General Manager of
into the city centre and to make the country Qatar office, Allies and
more pedestrian-friendly. Doha will become Morrison Architects
more vibrant if families live in the heart of
the city and if people were encouraged to fave STRUCTURES
walk the streets, as well as use their cars.”
In 15 years, Doha has potential to become Souk Waqif
a true model of a modern Arabic city, one Museum of Islamic Art
that embraces new low energy technologies,
sustainable design strategies and building distinctively romantic setting with a strong
processes with traditional, locally rooted Renaissance feel, Singapore has a strong
designs and architecture, says Gathercole. post-modern vibe. What sentiment, then,
do the the buildings in Doha convey to the
What does our city say? outside world?
Like many other art forms, architecture has Al Mohannadi is clear about what he
a language; it communicates different mes- wants the city to be. “We want our city
sages to different people. While Italy has a to be recognised through our architecture.
“traditional architecture is
about small spaces, shaded
allies, ,close-knit communities.
The old buildings form natural
spaces between them. It’s a
different architecture.”
Dean Thompson,
Director of Development- Qatar,
Halcrow
fave STRUCTURES
Carnegie Melon
University-Qatar
Souq Waqif
When someone visits our city, or even
sees a picture of one of our buildings in a
postcard, we want them to say, ‘Oh yes. That
is Qatar’.
“We want to maintain our unique
identity. We want our architecture to be an
introduction to our deep roots. On a more
practical level, we want to make this city
more community and people friendly.”
For Jaidah, it’s about uniqueness and the
associated memories.
“Like the Museum of Islamic Art and the
Souq Waqif, these buildings should ignite
memories of the country.”
Many cities have followed the ‘Bilbao
effect’ (the wow factor in buildings)
and commissioned landmark cultural
institutes housed within architectural iconic
developments.
According to Hay, “Architecture
demonstrates an investment in quality and a
respect for the environment and its citizens.
It states that you are serious when it comes
to culture and civic pride. My own view is
that if Qatar can strike a balance between
the occasional landmark or iconic building,
with considered urban development that
embodies quality in design and sensitivity
to the needs of its citizens on a day-to-day
level, it will achieve something where many
cities have failed.”
Gathercole cities the Knowledge
Enrichment Centre.
“The KEC itself and the exhibition it houses,
reinforce the importance of innovative
contemporary design that is also rooted in
the past. This comes from understanding
the evolution of the city and changing
ways of life as well as from architectural
and urban form. Engaging visitors and the
local community with issues of development
and design can be a very powerful way of
changing people’s perception of Qatar as
well as encouraging excellence in the built
environment.”
People-focused development, according
to Gathercole, will also make Doha a more
interesting and pleasant place for tourists to
visit.
(With inputs from Elizabeth Weingarten)
march 10 Qatar Today 43
The best buildings in Doha
01
Museum of
02
Souq Waqif
03
villagio
04 05
the pearl zig-zag
Islamic Art qatar towers

Tall
Building
Statistics
136 51
existing under
15 07
unbuilt Planned

for Doha
construction

( Source: Emphoris.com, which lists the tall buildings in the world.)

44 Qatar Today march 10

06 07
qatar Alfardan
08
The RasGas
09 10
Tornado Burj Qatar
national Tower Building (with Tower
convention the silver
center sphere in
between)

People Speak:
53% 2% 45%
satisfied negative not sure

Are you Reasons for answering, Reasons for answering

happy with ‘Satisfied’: ‘Not sure’:
the way the l It’s very beautiful, cool and modern looking.
The whole place reminds me of an Arabian
l Some of the towers aren’t original. They’re
just copies.
country has
l
Singapore. It’s very well developed. l I am working in a hotel right next to City

developed l It has become a sophisticated, modern city.

Fourteen years ago, there was nothing here.
architecturally? l The shapes of the buildings are shocking and
innovative.
l The architecture plan is moving in the right
direction. It’s nice that Doha is trying to
retain its heritage while also emphasizing
new projects.
Centre, and guests complain about the
construction. They say it is too much noise.
l There doesn’t seem to be a building plan.
l Sometimes construction disrupts peoples’
lives too much.
l There is too much construction going on.

(The poll covered 100 respondents, of varying

professional and economic backgrounds)

march 10 Qatar Today 45

Architectural
Aspirations of
an Emerging
Metropolis
Dr Ashraf M Salama
T
Professor of Architecture, QATAR UNIVERSITY
he ‘World City Network’
of Taylor ranks Doha as
a city with the highest
global connectivity.
While the developments
represent important
economic and infrastructure efforts,
Doha’s aspirations in architecture should
be underscored.
Historically, Doha was a fishing and
pearl diving town. Up to the mid 1960s,
the majority of buildings were individual
traditional houses that represented local
responses to the surrounding physical and
socio-cultural conditions.
During the 1970s, Doha was transformed
into a modernised city. However, in the
1980s and early 1990s the development
process was slow compared to the prior
period due to either the overall political
atmosphere or the heavy reliance of the
country on the resources and economy of
neighbouring countries.
Over the past decade or so, the
wealth produced by Qatar’s oil and gas
exports has generated a construction
development boom in the capital Doha,
and the surrounding vicinity. This resulted
in significant growth at all levels from urban
development and infrastructure provision
to cultural and educational facilities.
Like its neighbouring growing capitals,
Doha has ambitions and aspirations and is
attempting to position itself on the map of
world emerging economies. Its architecture
46 Qatar Today march 10
is continuously materialising its aspirations.
These are not only statements of forms
and architectural compositions made by
famous architects, but serious ventures
that speak to the environment and culture
with different degrees of success.
Aspirations from the 80s:
Qatar University, Q-Post
Notably, architectural aspirations are
not new, the early ones being the Qatar
University (QU) Campus and the Q-Post
building.
QU campus is one of the early attempts
to establish a local architectural identity
designed by the Paris-based late Egyptian
architect Ahmed El Kafrawi.
Based on an octagonal unit design
idea, wind-tower structures are created
to provide cool air and reduce humidity.
Towers of light are also introduced and are
intended to control the harsh sunlight, and
abundant use of mashrabiyas (Traditional
ScreenedWindows) and some stained glass
also serve to mediate the environment.
Open and partially covered courtyards,
planted and often with fountains, are
plentiful throughout the site. The architect
placed strong emphasis on natural
ventilation, one of the many links in which
Kafrawi relates to traditional architecture
of the region. As specific models, he used
the few still existing wind-tower houses in
Doha and modernised their basic principle.
Inaugurated in 1988, the main structure
of the Q-Post (GPS-General Postal
Corporation) is another building from the
‘80s.
The building was designed as pigeon
loft to symbolise pigeons which were
used to send messages in ancient times
worldwide. Reducing the amount of solar
again through deep openings while utilising
dramatic effects of day lighting are major
design features.
Gems in Education City
One statement of a manifested aspiration is
that of Arata Isozaki, who is well known for
his deep interpretation of the contexts in
which designs are developed. He designed
the Liberal Arts and Sciences building
(LAS) which is a focal point for all students
in the Education City. Occupying an area of
approximately 22,000 sqm, the building is
introduced to accommodate the Academic
Bridge Program (ABP).
As a visually striking and architecturally
stunning intervention, the building is
designed around a theme developed from
traditional Arabic mosaics that are evocative
of the crystalline structure of sand. This
was based on intensive studies to abstract
the essential characteristics of the context
while introducing new interpretations of
geometric patterns derived from widely
applied traditional Islamic motives.
Another building of Isozaki is the
Weill Cornell Medical College, a striking
functional composition of courtyards,
bridges, and polyhedrons and ovoid lecture
halls. Reflecting the locality, a combination
of triangular and squared shapes are
used for openings and partitions. Other
vertical surfaces were introduced that
were traditionally used in Arabic-Islamic
decorative arts utilised in houses and
public buildings.
A third selected statement of a
manifested aspiration is that of the award
winning Ricardo Legorreta who continues
in his design of the Engineering College
of Texas A&M University to root his work
in the application of regional Mexican
architecture to a wider global context.
Typically, his work is recognisable for
its brightly-coloured and the sustained
attempts to amalgamate local traditions
with contemporary needs. Legorreta uses
elements of Mexican regional architecture
in his work including bright colours, plays of
light and shadow, central patios, courtyards
and porticos as well as solid volumes.
The concept is based on introducing two
independent but adjoining masses linked
by large atrium; these are named the
Academic Quadrangle and the Research
Building. The overall expression of the
building demonstrates masterful integration
of solid geometry and a skillful use of colour
and tone values.
Souq Waqif
The reconstruction of Souq Waqif
represents another aspiration of conserving
the past of a nation. The literal translation
of the area is ‘The Standing Market’, a
Souq with an old history said to span 200
years. It contained different types of sub-
markets for whole sales and retail trades,
with buildings characterised by high walls,
small windows and wooden portals, and
also open air stalls for local vendors.
Bedouins used to hold their own markets
on Thursdays selling timber and dairy
products. Also, it was a gathering space for
fishermen. Over a period of three decades
from the ‘60s, the Souq was derelict and
most of its unique buildings fell in despair.
48 Qatar Today march 10
Recently, it has acquired a new image
by returning it to its original condition.
However, while it kept its function, new arts
galleries, traditional cafes and restaurants,
cultural events, and local concerts were
introduced as new functions attracting It seems that the coun-
most of the city residents and visitors. try’s aspirations are
It seems that the country’s aspirations endless and this is
evident in the current
are endless and this is evident in the current
surge in the design and
surge in the design and construction of construction of new
new buildings. These buildings are not buildings.
physical masks of power, buy embody
a considerable number of the forgotten
enduring values of architecture. These can
be exemplified by different factors. They
respond to the contextual characteristics
mandated by climatic and symbolic
attributes. This is manifested in different
treatments and articulations addressing
sun movement and air flows around the
buildings, the use of durable and reflective
materials – the dramatic effects of natural
light in the interior spaces, the orientation
of openings or double walling and skylights,
and the deep interpretation of traditional
elements and adapting them to the nature
of use.
With different degrees of success, they Dr Ashraf M
respond to the needs of users and local Salama
populations, to the city and also to the
artistic and spiritual needs of the people. Dr Ashraf M Salama is an
They emphasise the role that human values architect, scholar, and professor of
play in creating responsive environments architecture, He is the Chair of the
by skilfully addressing the clear separation Department of Architecture and
between gender-related activities. Urban Planning at Qatar University.
They integrate building management He has held a Reader in architecture
systems into new interpretations of position at Queen’s University
traditional forms. They adopt flexibility Belfast, United Kingdom, the Chief
of use and as an important factor for Editor of Archnet-IJAR: International
expansion in the cases of educational Journal of Architectural Research,
buildings. Collaborating Editor of Open House
While these manifested aspirations International-OHI, Editorial Board
represent cognizant actions of architects member of Time-Based Architecture
toward creating responsive educational, International, and International
cultural and commercial environments that Journal of Environmental Research
meet the aspirations of enlightened client and Public Health.
organizations and their communities, it
remains to be seen how new aspirations
would fit in harmony n