Qatar Government Center (Stirling's competition entry)

Notes

The Government Centre competition was launched in 1976 by Qatar (under the rule of Emir Sheikh Khalifa) with the aim of conceiving a single complex that would literally and figuratively unify the portfolios of the fractious ministry system and project an image of an aesthetically and technologically modern nation-state. In that vein, internationally renowned architects were invited for the competition, among which Kenzo Tange, James Stirling, The Architects Collaborative, and Günter Behnisch submitted entries. While Tenge's proposal won the competition—itself not realized—Stirling's proposal is also of important value, especially with its attempt for sensitivity to historical form.

The Stirling entry proposed a coherent scheme while maintaining some differentiation for each of the ministries. Each ministry, eleven floors high with a depth tailored to its programmatic needs, would have had its own courtyard with its distinctive ceremonial gate, while at the same time it would have showcased particular ornamental articulation on its upper part containing the ministerial offices. The scheme defied the Corniche's curvature and proposed an arrangement along a rectilinear route, termed the Mall, terminating in a grand plaza at the Diwan. The proposal incorporated already existing ministries east of the Diwan via an elevated tramway. A corridor of shops and public facilities was proposed beneath the towers and tramway, while arcades were set between each ministry to allow public access.

See also Qatar Government Center (Tange's competition entry) and Qatar Government Center (TAC's competition entry).

Sources

Adam Himes, “Competing Visions for a Modern Emirate: The Government Centre of the State of Qatar”, International Journal of Islamic Architecture, 7:1, 2018, p. 143–69, doi: 10.1386/ijia.7.1.143_1

John Lockerbie, the resident architect and planner for the Llewelyn-Davies team in Doha from 1972 and later chief architect and planner in the Technical Office of the Emir in 1975, catnaps.org

Information in this database is updated constantly. Do not hesitate to send us comments, information, or illustrations (with appropriate credits) to database@arab-architecture.org