Project Showcase: Qatar

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Government officials and journalists from around the region descended upon Doha in January in anticipation of an event to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of DohaLand’s US $5.5 billion Musheireb [formerly Heart of Doha] mixed-use development.

Boasting a design that is the product of collaboration between Allies and Morrison, Arup and Edaw, the 35-hectare Heart of Doha will be developed in five phases, with Phase 1A – which has been dubbed the ‘Diwan Emiri Quarter’ and includes the Emiri Diwan annex, the Emiri Guard HQ, a heritage quarter and the Qatari National Archives – to be fully completed by 2012.

“The Heart of Doha will be a shining example of Qatar’s determination to innovate, not just for innovation’s sake, but the end goal of improving quality of life and ensuring that heritage and culture carries on as the country grows and evolves,” said HE Dr Abdullah al Kubaisi, vice chairman of DohaLand. “Qatar has a magnificent history of rich culture and tradition, while at the same time, a present day that exhibits a country that has evolved into a progressive, global leader in a variety of industries.”

A subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, DohaLand is being developed under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned and the Qatari royal attended the ceremony to deliver the keynote address. In fact, the Her Highness is the chairperson of the Qatar Foundation and thus, her role in Musheireb has been more than just perfunctory.

“We feel the vision from His and Her Highness for a sustainable, lasting architecture – architecture that isn’t just glass and metal greenhouses overheating in the desert – is our kind of vision,” said Tim Makower, principal of Allies and Morrison, in an exclusive interview with MEA.

Upon completion, it is estimated that Musheireb will incorporate 1,000 housing units – apartments, townhouses and villas – and be able to accommodate approximately 27,000 residents.

The best of the rest…

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART

The new Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is dedicated to becoming the world’s foremost museum of Islamic art. The design and location of the building literally and figuratively positions the museum to become a catalyst for the development of Doha as a centre of excellence for its burgeoning culture and education sectors.

Moreover, it demonstrates the vision and commitment of the State of Qatar to the international cultural/museums sector. In architectural terms, it is one of the most distinguished modern buildings in the region. A perfect illumination of Islamic treasures in the generously designed halls and galleries is achieved with a customised Starflex spotlight solution (fibre-optic), developed by the lighting designers in conjunction with Zumtobel Lighting. The galleries feature almost 2,000 spotlights, which are aesthetically discrete but focused in lighting effect.

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
Architect IM Pei
Structural Engineer Leslie E. Robertson Associates
Mechanical Engineer Jaros Baum & Bolles
Interior Designer Wilmotte Associes SA
Lighting Designer Isometrix, London
Lighting Manufacturer Zumtobel

AL SHAQAB EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY

A new centre of equestrian excellence for the display, training, care and breeding of Arabian horses is taking shape within Education City. Known as Al Shaqab Academy, the project aims to provide the region’s first comprehensive equestrian facility.

Spread over an area of 800,000m², Al Shaqab will include state-of-the-art stables; a riding school with covered indoor training arena; surrounding stables for horses and ponies; an equestrian club for private members with recreational and dining facilities; a museum with exhibition area and library. The project also includes a five-level back-to-back Grandstand – half of which faces the indoor arena and other half towards the outdoor arena.

AL SHAQAB EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
Industry Sport Facilities
Client Qatar Foundation
Architect Leigh & Orange
AV Systems TechnoQ
Location Education City
Construction Manager KEO
Contractor Gulf Leighton
Value US $407 million

The Pearl Qatar is a multibillion dollar manmade island project spanning 985 acres (400 hectares) of reclaimed land. The development is the country’s first international urban development venture, its largest urban development and the first to offer freehold ownership to foreign nationals. The Pearl Qatar is a 13-island mixed-use development comprising 10 themed districts to be developed over five years housing beachfront villas, single-family homes, luxury apartments, exclusive penthouses, 5-star hotels, marinas, schools and retail and restaurant offerings. Once completed, The Pearl will create 32 km of new coastline, for use as a residential estate with an expected 15,000 dwellings by mid-2010.

THE PEARL QATAR
Industry Mixed use Development
Client State of Qatar
Masterplan & Design Architect Callison
Developer United Development Company
Project & Construction Mgr Dar Al-Handasah
AV & selected security TechnoQ
Completion Date 2012
Location West Bay Lagoon
Value US$ 2.5 billion

AL HITMI MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

Located on a prime waterfront site along the Doha Corniche, this contemporary project is the newest landmark in this city’s rapidly emerging skyline.

The development consists of a 7-story high linearly arranged office block anchored by a 15-story residential tower. The concept for the project was inspired by imagery of stone formations cantilevered over a body of water, to create a metamorphic link to the Persian Gulf. Clad with dark tinted glass, polished and textured natural stones tiles, the massing of the project is a direct response to the development’s proximity to the water. A sky-lit atrium featuring internal landscaped gardens traverses horizontally between the office blocks and folds up into the residential tower.

Internally, public and private spaces are designed to allow natural light and provide views of the Doha Corniche and Bay.

AL HITMI MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
Client Hitmi Property Development
Architect Norr Group International Consultants
Location Doha Corniche
Total built area 63,462m²
Office G+7
Residential G+15