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The upper façade, which represents the petals of the desert rose, also provides shade to protect the majority of the building from direct sunlight – thus further reducing the need for extensive power consumption when cooling the interiors.
NMoQ is a sprawling site – 1.5mn sq ft to be precise. As Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “The National Museum of Qatar is the physical manifestation of Qatar’s proud identity, connecting the country’s history with its diverse and cosmopolitan present. It will reflect a part of every Qatari’s life, representing our roots and identity."
The complex form of the desert rose, found in Qatar’s arid desert regions, inspired the striking design of the NMoQ building, conceived by the world-renowned French architect Jean Nouvel.
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He was quoted as saying: “Qatar has a deep rapport with the desert, with its flora and fauna, its nomadic people, its long traditions. To fuse these contrasting stories, I needed a symbolic element. Eventually, I remembered the phenomenon of the desert rose: crystalline forms, like miniature architectural events, that emerge from the ground through the work of wind, salt water, and sand."
The museum’s building has been constructed around the centrepiece of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace – his family home and seat of the government for 25 years. The palace has been carefully restored and conserved so that it can be enjoyed by visitors and future generations to come.
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In addition to the unique architecture and stunning gallery spaces, the building features a 220-seat auditorium, two restaurants, a café and a traditional food forum.
For scholars and students, the museum offers a new research centre and laboratories along with access to digital archives. A landscaped park also provides visitors with a chance to explore and learn about Qatar’s indigenous plants and their role in Qatari culture.
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Visitors take pictures during their visit to the NMoQ
NMoQ is the only museum in the world to have achieved high sustainability ratings from multiple internationally recognised and independent bodies. Among these is the GSAS 4-Star rating for design and build certification. GSAS – which stands for ‘Global Sustainability Assessment System’ – is considered the gold standard in sustainability, and four stars is its highest award category. NMoQ has also received a LEED Gold certificate, among others.
The Park at the NMoQ includes playgrounds, several public artworks, a lagoon and two large kiosks with amenities including prayer rooms, washrooms and cafés.