Knowledge Enrichment Centre off the Corniche is open to the public

The Knowledge Enrichment Centre (KEC), moored off Doha’s Corniche, will be open to the public for three days a week from tomorrow, Gulf Times has learnt.

Officially inaugurated by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad at the groundbreaking ceremony of Dohaland’s signature Musheireb project on January 13, the KEC sits on a floating platform designed by international firm, Allies and Morrison.

“It will be open to public from March 31. The public can visit the innovative barge-like-structure on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 3pm and 6pm,” an official told Gulf Times.

“The rest of the days, it will continue to serve Dohaland’s events, seminars and workshops,” the official said. Measuring 91m long and 24m wide, with a building floor area of 1,200sq m, KEC’s design draws from the maritime history of Qatar when trade, fishing and pearl diving were the cornerstones of regional economy.

Many of the ceilings, panels, doors, shutters and some of the furniture are adorned with calligraphy, inscriptions, patterns and carvings inspired by the culture and artistic history of the region.

Once inside the Dohaland-owned KEC, visitors will enter The Baraha, which evokes the character of a small square between buildings. Baraha in Arabic means an informal entry courtyard.

Most remarkable features of The Baraha include a native Sidra tree and a unique Qatari “malkaf” window.

This leads to The Exhibition Galleries which house a range of artefacts and architectural information, charting the history of Qatari architecture, design and building techniques. There is a Majlis for distinguished guests with a spectacular view across the bay from its balcony.

The space fuses traditional and contemporary designs and opens onto the exhibition galleries and terrace.

A pattern inspired by an early artwork at Al Jassasiya rock carvings, depictions of what appear to be traditional fi shing boats or dhows, is used to enrich the ceiling and table tops of the Majlis.

There is a terrace which provides visitors space to enjoy fresh air and views of the city from the comfort of a shaded deck.

The project began on August 18 last year and was completed in 76 days on November 2.

Dohaland’s chief executive officer Issa al-Mohannadi had previously said KEC had been moored off the Corniche so as to serve as a bridge between the new buildings in the West Bay and Doha’s old city centre, at the same time symbolising both the land and sea.

“It was important for KEC to become a place where the people of Doha can meet, interact and socialise regardless of their age or whether they are residents or tourists,” the official said.