National Museum of Qatar opens

The National Museum of Qatar in Doha has officially opened. The museum tells the story of the Middle Eastern nation with galleries flowing across three ‘chapters’; Beginnings, Life in Qatar and the Modern History of Qatar. Designed to be immersive and visually striking, the 11 galleries offer visitors a memorable and engaging experience.

The museum reveals Sydney-based firm, Koichi Takada Architects’ designed interior architecture having won an international competition to design the interiors of the Doha museum in 2012. 

Koichi Takada’s interior architecture complements the museum’s exterior architecture designed by French architect and Pritzker-prize winner, Jean Nouvel. The museum makes a dramatic addition to the Doha landscape; with its curved disks, intersections, and cantilevered angles all inspired by the local desert rose. 

The museum, which is open to all, provides visitors with a wide range of ways to participate, to learn or to relax. A 220-seat auditorium and rolling program of events ensures each visit offers a new perspective. For students and researchers, the dedicated research centre and laboratories provide new study opportunities. 

As well as the gallery spaces, Koichi Takada Architects crafted the museum shops, cafes and restaurant. Each space features a distinct design with inspiration drawn from significant Qatari locations and artefacts. The timber walls of the museum shops take their form from the Dahl Al Misfir (Cave of Light), which is found in the heart of Qatar. Cafe 875, which overlooks the museum’s main lobby, was inspired by traditional Qatari gold jewellery – particularly the medallion rings. The Desert Rose Cafe references the museum’s exterior architecture. Its sand-coloured palette and collection of desert rose formations pay homage to the Qatari landscape. 

Principal Architect, Koichi Takada explained “the National Museum of Qatar will be the next ‘Bilbao Effect’ and Jean Nouvel’s masterful design is a seeker of architectural magic. The museums desert rose inspired space is a mirage within which visitors will lose a sense of time wandering between the past and future. The National Museum of Qatar will give a voice to Qatar’s cultural heritage whilst celebrating its future identity.”