Qatar has many beautiful buildings, each with a unique significance, style and look. Did you know that some of the notable buildings in Qatar are by world-renowned architects?
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has compiled a list of these unique structures and their designers. Check them out below!
We have all marvelled at this marvellous building inspired by the desert rose. The National Museum of Qatar was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. Built on an area of 430,500 square feet and around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani's original palace, the building comprises interlocking discs.
The inside of the museum is as stunning as the outside. Have you been here before?
Overlooking the waters of the Doha Corniche and on a purpose-built island is the Museum of Islamic Art. Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei who is known for designing the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, came up with the design for MIA.
The Sabil, or ablution fountain from the 9th-century Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Cairo, Egypt, inspired the building design. The museum showcases Islamic patterns in its arches, water features and domes blending with modern architectural design.
This structure resembles two pieces of paper pulled apart and folded diagonally at the corners to create a shell-like form. It was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and is probably one of the best libraries you'd have ever seen. Stocked with thousands of books, there's ample natural light coming through the tall, glass windows.
Apart from this, the place also houses a heritage library, complete with temperature-controlled display cases. Qatar National Library has other facilities like a children's library, a computer lab, a music studio and more.
The Education City Mosque is one of the mosques in Qatar that does Friday sermons in English. The mosque's architecture and minarets read verses of the Quran, making it a popular photo destination. It was designed by architects Ali Mangera and Ada Yvars Bravo.
It is also known as the 'Minaretein Building' and with a total capacity of 1,800 worshippers in its main prayer hall and another 1,000 in its exterior courtyard.
Japanese architect Arata Isozaki is the brains behind the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) design. The facade from the front is a sight to behold as it features intertwined Sidra trees holding up the building structure. The Sidra tree is the national tree of Qatar.
The tree traditionally symbolises knowledge, and this building holds events, conventions, exhibitions and more.
Designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, the Sidra Medicine hospital building looks like the sails of a ship, which represents Qatar's connection with the sea.
The structure is made up of steel, glass and white ceramic tile. The atriums inside are well-lit with greenery and water elements.
Al Thumama Stadium was designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah. The circular design is inspired by the traditional woven cap worn by men and boys across the Middle East called the 'gahfiya'. It's a valued aspect of Arab family tradition representing dignity and independence.
The 40,000-capacity stadium became the sixth tournament-ready venue for the World Cup. The venue hosted FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches too.
Al Janoub Stadium was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. It takes inspiration from the sails of Qatar's traditional dhow boats as a tribute to the fishing and pearl diving past of the location of Al Wakrah.
Did you see any matches here?
Source: Qatar National Library, Qatar2022
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