Abstract
How can cities respond to the new and emerging challenges that we are facing today? How can they stand differently and offer a new way of living that best meets their professional requirements and a healthy and social lifestyle? These questions were the cornerstone for Msheireb Properties to plan and build Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project located in Qatar’s capital city. For achieving this, Msheireb introduced a new architectural language that is relevant, enriching and uniquely Qatari. This relies on what Msheireb Properties calls “The Seven Principles” to secure continuity between the past, present and future. It is clearly reflected through the integration of Qatar’s architectural past with contemporary design and the latest eco-friendly technology, to present a unique city district that is sustainable, smart and enhances social connectivity. In June 2019, Msheireb Properties launched the book ‘Building on Tradition, The New Architectural Language of Qatar’ at a special event held at RIBA, The Royal Institute of British Architects in London. The book details the seven principles of architecture that were developed through a three-year collaboration with some of the world’s leading academics and urban planners including Mossessian Architecture, Eric Parry Architects and John McAslan + Partners. The new architectural language aimed to restore the uniqueness of Qatar’s built environment and strengthen the social ties that define Qatari culture. It is modern yet inspired by traditional Qatari heritage and architecture – its proportion is based on simplicity, space, light, layering, ornamentation, and response to climate. The strategic objective of the research is to show how Msheireb Downtown Doha is reimagining the pattern of development in Doha, which has in the past tended towards isolated land use, reliance on car transportation and energy hungry structures. Msheireb Downtown Doha is about socializing and connectivity and serves as a new social and civic hub in the city centre—a place where it is enjoyable to live, work, shop, visit, and spend time with family and friends. The book is a reference for all companies, architects, researchers in the Gulf region and globally to know more about this unique project and benefit from its outcomes. It is available on-line in PDF formats and in hard copies. It serves as a reliable open-source of information that sets a concrete base to change the current trends in building to a new one that is deeply rooted in culture and enables residents to connect and re-socialize.
