DohaLand looks to engage young Qatari architects

The advent of a new architectural style in Qatar could signal the end of the 'blue glass'.

Construction Week has learned that DohaLand has sponsored a professorship at Qatar University in an effort to begin teaching students of architecture and urban planning the modern Qatari architectural 'language' that will be employed in the 35-hectare Musheireb project.

In an irony not lost on building professionals or journalists through Doha, the design competition for Musheireb -- which called for a new Qatari architecture that would embody Qatari sensibilities and identity -- saw 100 regional and international firms whittled down to 11 finalists, none of which were Qatari.

"DohaLand is the answer to Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned's initiative to close a gap. The gap is an architectural language and a national identity that we've lost," explained Eng. Issa M. Al Mohannadi, CEO of DohaLand.

"In the 1960s and 70s, we started to import architecture. There is nothing wrong with importing architecture but it is wrong to import a style that doesn't fit for Qatar."

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Al Mohannadi continued: "In my opinion, those building were designed wrong. As a society, we cannot accept 'fast food' solutions for our homes or buildings.

"We can't blame anyone, we chose to eat this fast food. But, as a culture, we shouldn't have to adapt to the buildings we live in, they should be adapted and developed to fit our needs. We don't claim that we've found the perfect solution in Musheireb, but we're bringing one interpretation of how to modernise architecture without sacrificing identity."

Despite winning the competition to design the master plan and several buildings within the Musheireb development, Allies and Morrison principal Tim Makower is fully supportive of the idea of educating young Qataris to pick up where the international firms will ultimately leave off.

"It's the beginning of a very interesting conversation," said Makower of the potential for a 'contemporary Qatari architecture' course at Qatar University. "This sets a direction and a vision for the future of Qatari architecture. I've certainly got a few lectures up my sleeve."

According to Al Mohannadi, the point of the chair at the university isn't to advance a specific architectural style, but to interact with students, expose them to the DohaLand philosophy and allow them to nurture and develop the ideas that will ultimately become the Qatari architecture of the future.

"We don't claim to be the only solution," said Al Mohannadi. "We simply hope our vision will inspire more research. We're a starting point." Asked whether this initiative signalled the end of shiny 'blue glass' architecture in Qatar, Mohannadi replied, "I certainly hope so."

While the professorship at Qatar University is still vacant, it is understood that the initiative enjoys the full backing of Qatar University president Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad. Al Misnad could not be reached for comment.