Qatari architectural language takes physical form

Taking charge towards changing the city’s landscape in Qatari architectural language, Dohaland yesterday shared its research and design with the public with the concept of an ingenious venue.

Moored at the Corniche close to the Sheraton Park, the floating Knowledge Enrichment Centre (See illustration below) will be a permanent hub for workshops, seminars, conferences and exhibitions that encourage the culture of exchanging and sharing knowledge and ideas.

The discourse at the innovative venue will span thematic engagements, cultural events and discussions based on exhibits that focus on the Qatari heritage.

“This was a dream of Dohaland chairperson HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad. The Knowledge Enrichment Centre will be a long-term endowment of lasting sustained value to Doha’s residents,” a Dohaland official said. “There will a series of ongoing activities that will involve and engage the community actively.”

Visitors will step inside The Baraha (Arabic: an informal entry courtyard) through the main entrance that hosts the native Sidra tree, a ‘malaqa’ window and water features evoking the character of a small square perched between buildings.

“The Knowledge Enrichment Centre’s activities and events will reaffirm Dohaland’s values of Heritage, Innovation, Sustainability, Enrichment and Environment, through engagement, empowerment and enlightenment,” the official added.

Moving on, there will be exhibition galleries displaying and showcasing current and future Dohaland’s projects through a range of artefacts and architectural information, charting the history of Qatari architecture, design and building techniques.

A VIP Majlis will provide the distinguished guest with a view across the bay from its balcony, as the publicly-accessible The Terrace provides the perfect space to enjoy some fresh air, providing view of the city from beneath a shaded deck.

The floating Knowledge Enrichment Centre will also house education halls and a café.

The Centre will also be home to the cornerstone with the First Lady’s handprint until it is moved to a pre-designated building in Musheireb after construction completes, the official said.

[Sidebar] “Dohaland in facts and figures”

Bordered by Al Rayyan Road (north), Jassim Bin Mohamed Street (east), Musheireb Street (south), and Al Diwan Street; part of A-Ring Road (west), Musheireb sits adjacent to the Emiri Diwan, the seat of government;

The site is adjacent to the recently redeveloped Souk Waqif, a successful mixed-use scheme based on a traditional souk and the Al Koot Fort;

The total project GFA (Gross Floor Area) will be 760,000sq m;

The development will contain 226 buildings and will be home to 27,637 residents. It will have around 13,700 parking lots as well as a dedicated tramway;

There will be parks and open spaces with a total area of 122,217sq m;

The main structures include the National Archive, Theatre and Museum, hotels (3 types; lifestyle, luxury, business), Primary School, Heritage Quarter, Eid Musalla (prayer);

Infrastructure: Underground service-ways, centralised district cooling, gas network, vacuum waste disposal, dedicated cycleway, centralised security and ICT.