The Musheireb project is the culmination of many months of research and collaboration between some of the world’s brightest planners and architects to find a way to express the rich architectural heritage of Qatar in a new and innovative manner, relevant to the way people live today. Below we look at the new architectural language developed by MSHEIREB PROPERTIES for Musheireb, as its first signature project. Qatar has a rich architectural history. MSHEIREB PROPERTIES’s new architectural language draws inspiration from our ancestors, who built structures that respected the topography of the region, made the best use of local natural resources and encouraged community living. The primary consideration of Musheireb is to build places that work with Qatar’s unique environment and culture. MSHEIREB PROPERTIES has completed a comprehensive study on what makes that Qatari architecture distinct and has developed a new vernacular for Doha’s future projects. In the Musheireb, MSHEIREB PROPERTIES will build sustainable, innovative communities that enrich our individual lives, promote environmentally friendly living, and rediscover the heritage and culture that makes a place unique.

The project Masterplan observes a series of sustainable design objectives to make optimum use of microclimatic effects, to enhance thermal comfort, ensure maximisation of water and energy efficiency, promote sustainable waste management and reduce carbon emissions across the site. The primary objective of the Musheireb project is to reverse the pattern of development and growth of Doha in recent decades which has tended towards isolated land uses with urban sprawl and heavy reliance on car transport. Focus will be on reducing car use and congestion, while improving connectivity across the wider city area. An underground basement extending over the entire area will accommodate approximately 13,700 car park spaces, will effectively remove vehicles from the streets around Musheireb, reclaiming the outdoor spaces for the community to enjoy.

Positioned in clusters, the buildings will have façade articulation to respect the prevailing climate rather than compete against it. The orientation of the buildings are planned to take advantage of the prevailing offshore northerly winds. Streets are aligned and building heights increased towards the south of the site to benefit from the sea breezes. The development will be of an inner urban scale, relatively dense, with blocks of interconnecting buildings interspersed with a network of squares and courtyards. Landscaped streets will run between the major blocks of the development, while smaller access lanes and pedestrian routes will criss-cross more randomly, affording greater protection from the intense sun. Colonnades will line many of the streets to provide shading and a grand central square, which will become a new destination in Doha. The Musheireb looks to create a dynamic local economy that will facilitate community interaction and social exchange, and ensure self-sufficiency in school and basic amenities. The development and regeneration of the 35 hectare site will put people and communities first, encouraging them to explore their full potential and to flourish.

Development in the Musheireb will be based on MSHEIREB PROPERTIES’s five pillars; Heritage and Culture, Innovation, Sustainability, Enrichment and Environment. It will use certain aspects of traditional Qatari architecture featuring proportion, simplicity, space, light, layering, ornament and response to climate.

The architectural guidelines of Musheireb set out seven principles:

1. Past and future
Rooted in the Past, focused on the Future.
Part of Qatar’s unique evolving history; designed and built to last.

2. Individual and Collective
A harmonious balance between Unity and Diversity
Richness and delight combined with a deep respect for context

3. Space and Form
A carved, informal and protective urban grain.
Sikkas, barahas, squares and streets provide a traditional environment in a contemporary language.

4. Aspects of Home
Opening to private, secure and shaded outdoor spaces
Homes clustered in intimate groups around garden and shared majlis buildings.

5. Aspects of the Street
Arcaded streets and shading canopies; casting shade, catching the breeze.
Pedestrian priority and lively retail frontages; an evening promenade.

6. Designing for Climate
‘State of the Art’ technology above and below ground.
Innovative ways of saving energy and creating a comfortable, adaptable and people friendly environment.

7. Language of Architecture
Robustness, simplicity and a new language of pattern
Decoration and functionality, innovation and tradition combined.

These principles are embodied in the first phase of development, the civic buildings of the Diwan Amiri Quarter which will start on site in the near future to form a new backdrop to Al Rayyan Rd and Jassim bin Mohammed St at the Northeast corner of the site.