Doha is the capital of Qatar and the county’s most populated area, accommodating more people than the rest of Qatar combined. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Doha is a relatively young city, founded in the vicinity of another settlement, Al Bidda, sometime during the 1820s. In recent years, the city has seen rapid population growth, an image reflected in the architectural landscape. During the 1960s and 1970s, many of the old districts in Doha were demolished to make space for new developments, while several schemes have been deployed to advocate for the preservation of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
In 2022, Qatar welcomed the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, one of the most anticipated sports events of the past year, held in an Arab country for the first time. With many stadiums built in or around Doha, the country prepared extensively for the event, yet concerns were raised due to the hot climate and the extensive adaptations needed to host a sporting event of this scale. In 2024, the city is hosting the inaugural edition of Design Doha 2024, a new Biennial showcasing over 100 Middle Eastern and North African designers, running from February 24 to August 5, 2024.
The following list showcases 15 contemporary architecture projects showcasing the innovative architecture of Qatar's capital, including works from internationally renowned architects such as Jean Nouvel, OMA, UNStudio, and I.M.Pei.
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Inaugural Edition of Design Doha 2024: Showcasing Innovation in Middle Eastern and North African DesignNational Museum of Qatar / Ateliers Jean Nouvel
Museum of Islamic Art / I.M. Pei
Qatar National Convention Centre / Arata Isozaki
Qatar National Library / OMA
Al Thumama Stadium / Ibrahim Jaidah Architects & Engineers
Hamad International Airport Passenger Terminal Complex / HOK
Doha Metro Network / UNStudio
Msheireb Downtown Doha Masterplan / Allies and Morrison + AECOM + Arup
Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies / Mangera Yvars Architects
Al Jazeera Network Studio Building / Veech X Veech
M7 Cultural Forum / John McAslan + Partners
Sidra Medical and Research Center / Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
Doha High Rise Office Tower / Ateliers Jean Nouvel
Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences / John McAslan + Partners
Zig Zag Towers / MZ & Partners
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