This walking trail invites you to explore Education City's distinctive public art and amazing buildings
Things To Do
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Overall view of the itinerary
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3.5 hours
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8 iconic buildings
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1 public art installation
1
Free
Day 1
Medbay (Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar building)
This 32,900 square meter building officially opened in 2003 as one of the first buildings in Education City and it was designed to house Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q). The building was conceived with two 200-meter-long halls linked by bridges that create enclosures for both faculty and student lounges. Although contemporary in its concept and building materials, it features many references to traditional Arab and Islamic architecture. Geometric patterns and openings mark exterior and interior surfaces, while elements like wind towers in the courtyard emphasize Islamic design. The main feature of the building are the four lecture halls and special auditoria described by the architect as pure geometric forms inspired by Islamic design language.
Useful information
Education City
2
Free
Day 1
Biznest (Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar building)
It is the second facility in Education City campus that was designed by signature architects Legorreta + Legorreta from Mexico. A similar architectural language to Manufactory can be seen through the use of natural stone, water features, interplay of light and shadow, and the use of vibrant interior colors. The building concept is strongly linked to how it is experienced in relation to its context: the building is expressed through dividing its mass into two parts with a central spine marking the building’s main entries to its east and west ends making the facility a more permeable area and a strategic connector between different parts of the campus. The massing of the building to the north and south of the spine was designed as a series of volumes with offset spaces in-between that create quiet shaded and green outdoor courtyards. To further reduce direct sunlight, building windows are designed to be facing the internal shaded courtyards and openings are concentrated on the northern façade of the building.
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Education City
3
Free
Day 1
Manufactory (Texas A&M University in Qatar building)
The building was the first of four Education City campus designs by Mexican architecture firm Legorreta and Legorreta (L+L). Legoretta’s design is a modern interpretation of Mexican architecture influenced by Islamic/Arab buildings in Andalusia. TAMUQ’s features, such as towers, porticos, courtyards, water elements, sunscreens, and an emphasis on outdoor/indoor connections make it fully compatible with the architecture of the Middle East. L+L is also known for the use of vibrant colors and sculptural elements. For this design, they chose to break the façade into layers resembling a mashrabiya clad in stone to help protect the building from direct sun while also generating an interesting interplay between light and shadow. The main entrance to the building is marked with a symbolic tower and a large bronze door that leads to a three-story lobby and reception atrium located in the academic section of the building.
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Education City
4
Free
Day 1
Ceremonial Court and the Ceremonial Green Spine
It is a beautiful multipurpose, open-air space that hosts significant events in Education City, such as QF Convocation, Qatar National Day, and more. Intricate lattice work featured across the Ceremonial Court makes up a concrete panel pergola system which encloses the space on three sides and leads to a stage located in the center of the southern boundary of the facility.
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Open 24h
5
Free
Day 1
Think Bay
Housing several global initiatives and policy institutes, this building is conceived as a boldly thoughtful rectangular “think tank” above a double level of transparent entrances, presenting an opening image while maintaining a sense of integrity. Its narrower sides fly over the ends and close with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views over the Campus. It is supported by a square base, where the entrance is located, and partially submerged underground, creating a stealthy contrast with the large adjacent headquarters of Qatar Foundation.
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Education City
6
Free
Day 1
The 2015 building (QF Headquarters)
The home of Qatar Foundation (QF) and the tallest building in Education City, the 2015 building is an award winning project with an area of 28,000 square meters and a height of 57 meters. It is a central icon for Education City. Contained in a purist geometrical form, the building consists of three major sections: the QF chairperson wing, the staff office tower, and the executive/meeting tower. They are then connected by a central unifying space – the Atrium. The Atrium space is activated by the circulation bridges that connect the two towers as well as the verandas opening toward the central void. Visual connections are established across the atrium from all directions, heightening the sense of connectivity between the different building users. The result is a unique building, with a solid, contained external geometry that reveals its central atrium of active networks.
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7
Free
Day 1
Al Azzm (2016)
“Al Azzm” artwork by H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani depicts three female figures crossing their arms as symbol of their determination to confront life’s challenges. the artwork is inspired by the artist’s mother and her Abaya’s movement with the wind.
The artwork, made of polished and hand-carved granite , is a celebration of women’s leadership and their capacity to build nations.
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Education City
8
Free
Day 1
Penrose House
As one of the first buildings of Education City the building is formed as a massive introverted rectangular structure with minimal openings to provide protection from the extreme heat.
Responding to the extreme climate the entire building is wrapped by a double roof and a double wall. The strong sunlight is reflected and diffused between the two layers, bringing into the space soft bright light. Interpreting and resembling a typical Islamic city, which is an assemblage of small housing units with patios, the space of this building is organised by interior atriums and exterior courtyards located consecutively resulting in a mosaic pattern.
Respecting the culture of abstraction and innovation of the geometric pattern used in Islamic architecture , a Quasi-Crystal pattern is used for the exterior façade and internal ornaments. This geometry consists of three basic configurations, 90, 60, and 30 degree parallelograms, which start from a single point and expandinfinitely without repetition.
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Education City
9
Free
Day 1
Canvus (VCUarts Qatar building)
As the first university established in Education City, VCUarts Qatar holds a distinct place in Qatar Foundation’s history. Its dedicated building was established in 1998 as a two-story facility influenced by traditional and local architectural elements, and features a unique façade. The interior reflects a contrasting image of the exterior, featuring fashionable finishes and contemporary spaces, while maintaining a welcoming quality through the atrium space, open corridors, and warm colors. Rapid growth of the student population forced the need for a building expansion completed in 2010. The two buildings connect via two corridors on the ground and first floors, as well as a large atrium area with skylights creating a central circulation space to be used for the university events and gatherings.
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Education City
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