Other sites

Developed over a six-year period, the Mondrian Doha features a distinctive falcon-inspired design.  An important part of Qatari culture, the falcon is a recurring symbol at the Mondrian, with the entrance modelled like the beak, and the podium covered with a bird’s nest pattern.

Located in Lusail City, the 32-story Marina Twin Towers offer a vivid contrast with the surrounding desertscape.  Also known as the Lego Towers, these buildings feature colourful cubes that appear to be unevenly stacked, with the colours representing Qatar’s multi-cultural population.

Aspire Tower, also known as The Torch, is Qatar’s tallest building, at 300-metres (980 ft).  Designed by architect Hadi Simaan, it was built to house the 2006 Asian Games flame.  Now a luxury hotel, The Torch is built within the Aspire Zone sports complex.

Ceremonial Court, located in Education City, was designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect, Arata Isozaki. 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 features across the court, which contains an informal amphitheater to the north and a formal stage area to the south, with each accommodating up to 3,000 people.

An ambitious urban redevelopment project, Msheireb Downtown is the world's first regeneration project with a strong focus on sustainability. Incorporating traditional architecture with modern elements, the neighbourhood aims to create a community rooted in Qatari culture.  The central Barahat Msheireb is a vast courtyard space with a retractable roof. Ringed by dining options, it forms the heart of the revitalised district. 

One of the project’s prized structures, the National Archive building aims to replicate the country’s archetypical coastal watchtowers. Clad in stone panels, the archive’s facades are interrupted by recessed windows and cavernous openings carved into the stone surfaces at an angle to moderate light and views inside the building. It has been recognized for its sustainable features, including energy and water saving mechanisms, use of non-potable water, rainwater recovery and on-site renewable energy generation. 

The Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque, also known as the Qatar State Grand Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in Qatar.  Built on a hill overlooking Al Jubaylat area, it commands visibility, its 28 outer domes punctuating the skyline.  The mosque has an arresting design that combines the simplicity of Islamic architecture with clean, modern lines.  The mosque houses a library and can hold over 30,000 worshippers. 

Katara Cultural Village showcases traditional architectural styles from across the region.  The complex houses two masjids, or mosques, both stunning examples of modernist Islamic art.  Designed by Turkey’s Zeynep Fadilloglu, who is believed to be the first female architect to specialise in mosques, the larger mosque features Persian and Turkish tile and enamel work.

The second mosque within Katara is smaller, but covered with luminous gold tiling glinting in the sun, it is no less eye catching. 

Katara is also home to the pigeon towers, traditional bird houses, as well as a roman style amphitheatre boasting dramatic views of the sea.