Qatar National Convention Centre

Education City, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

  • Typologies

    Convention and Exhibition Centers

  • Building Activities

    Conferences & Expos

  • Services

    Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Design

  • Completion

    2011

CHALLENGE. In partnership with Burns and McDonnell, we developed Stage 2 of the Qatar National Convention Centre. From the start, the project challenges were numerous. From designing a facility that would blend seamlessly with the convention center Stage 1 building to dealing with significant site constraints and accommodating public transportation under a tight timeline, this project required creative thinking.

INNOVATION. Serving as a focal point in welcoming international guests in the Middle East, a sustainable, high-performance approach motivated the convention center design, which resulted in a facility that was smart, hyper-functional and, in turn, sustainable.

The exhibition space boasts the first-of-its-kind operable ceiling/rigging grid that allows for variable heights, configurations and super-efficient rigging execution. This grid allows the spaces to adjust quickly and with ease. Controllable skylights allow daylight when desired and blackout conditions when needed.

 

  • Inspiration came from local geological and ecological influences, including the Sidra Tree concept used for the Stage 1 building.

Sustainable elements, coupled with state-of-the-art touch-screen technology, unique breakout meeting areas and direct access to the building from a light rail station, have resulted in an iconic, unconventional and accessible space to host international events.

IMPACT. Since opening in 2011, the Qatar National Convention Centre has won numerous awards and come to host some of the largest and most prestigious conferences in the world. Regarded internationally as one of the most beautiful, efficient and technologically-advanced exhibition centers in the world, the venue is also one of the most sustainable and was awarded LEED Gold Certification in 2012.

Facts and Figures
LEED Certification
Gold
Size
965,000 sf
Cost
$1.2 billion
Awards
2013
Best Events Venue; Middle East Event Awards
2012
Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre; World Travel Awards
2012
Best Congress and Convention Centre, Middle East; Business Destinations Travel Awards
2012
Best Convention Centre in Middle East; MICE Report Awards
Project Team
Connect with the designers

Todd Voth

Michael Lockwood

Daniel Wood

Marc Bertolino

Al Harris