Bridging Cultures: Japan’s Architects Explore Qatar’s Architectural Gems - Day 1
Group Image, at Qatar National Convention Center auditorium, the largest auditorium in Qatar, with 2500 seats and three terraces.
We had an amazing time in Qatar with our colleagues from the Japan Institute of Architects and members of AIA International Chapter who visited us this October. Despite a very tight schedule, they managed to experience the best of Qatar’s architecture and culture.
On the first day, Mr. Satoru, the group chairman from UME Architects, met with me in Doha. From there, we headed to the Qatar Foundation for private tours of one of the largest educational areas in the Middle East. Along the way, we glimpsed the skyline and saw one of the lesser-known gems of brutalist architecture, designed by Kenso Tange in the 70s, located right opposite the famous Museum of Islamic Arts designed by I.M. Pei.
The first stop of the day was the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), designed by Arata Isozaki. This building is a magnificent example of “form meeting function.” The functional elements of the center are placed in the back volume, organized to maximize functionality. The sculptural front of the building, which from the interior almost feels detached from its functional back, is highlighted by a sleek skylight that emphasizes this separation. The large atrium lobby is created by the merging of these volumes, and offers wide open spaces that intrude into the functional areas, enhancing the overall users experience.
Image of Qatar National Convention Center atrium lobby
The group also noticed the sleek structural columns inside the building, comparing them to those in Japan, and concluding on the seismic differences between Qatar and Japan.
Our next stop was the Qatar National Library, where we had the opportunity to be greeted by the architect himself, Mr. Rem Koolhaas. He is one of the architects who has significantly contributed to Qatar’s architectural portfolio, including the Qatar Foundation.
Image of group outside the Qatar National Library
The Qatar National Library (QNL) is one of the first and possibly the only national library built in the 21st century. Unlike stereotypical library designs, the QNL is open, bright and lively, and can be compared to those in Stuttgart and Seoul. It allows users to interact with each other and explore the stepping walls of books on each side of the library, which cleverly integrate private and silent niches for those who need focus. With its design and layout, it serves not just as a library but also as a student learning and gathering space. Local staff showcased various smart solutions, from book storage and digitalization to interactive screens with book themed games for kids. This less conservative approach to library design has turned the place into a community hub, attracting families over the weekend, especially during hot summer days.
One detail that caught the group’s attention was the open basement area, which has a completely different material treatment from the rest of the library. It mimics the archaeological excavation site, featuring some of the oldest books, pictures and sculptures in the library.
Image of Qatar National Library central area
As we continued through the Qatar Foundation, the group visited the QF Headquarters. From its terraces, we had the opportunity to view the entire master plan and gain different perspectives on the works of Arata Isozaki, Rem Koolhaas, Antoine Predock, UN Studio and others. Surprisingly, what appears as a cube from the outside is an open and inviting building from the inside. With asymmetrical central atrium, various functional volumes protruding inside of it and connecting bridges interacting with each other, it offers a unique experience. In Qatar’s harsh summer climate, we experienced the benefits of the atriums and courtyard where a constant breeze of fresh air circulated through the building.
QF Headquarters’ internal courtyard
QF Headquarters viewed from the QNCC Atrium
The last stop of the day was the Qatar National Museum (QNM), a masterpiece designed by Jean Nouvel that resembles the desert rose commonly found in Qatar's Sea-Line area, now protected from the excavations by the Ministry of Environment. The museum’s architecture speaks for itself, but it was interesting to learn from our local guide that the entire museum was initially planned to be placed underground, mimicking the natural environment of desert roses, which are sand crystals usually found about one meter under the sand. The modern museum encircles the Old Doha Palace, perfectly blending the old with the new and giving a deserved value to both.
Qatar National Museum viewed from the old palace area within the museum
Written by Amar Hromo, AIA
Contributor to AIA International Communication & PR Committee
Photo credits: JIA, AIA Middle East, Amar Hromo
