Qatar Unveils Three Museums by OMA, Herzog & de Meuron + Elemental

NEW museums by OMA, herzog & de meuron and ELEMENTAL

Her excellency Sheikha al Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums, has unveiled plans for three new museums, two in Doha and one in Lusail, designed by OMA, Herzog & de Meuron, and Elemental.

The news was announced during a panel discussion featuring Pritzker Prize-winning architects Jacques Herzog (Herzog & de Meuron) and Alejandro Aravena (Elemental), which took place during the Doha Forum 2022. Since 2008, the country has opened four museums, two major galleries for art exhibitions, a film institute, an artist-in-residence facility, and two incubators for the design and fashion industries. These three new museums, which will focus on Islamic art, contemporary art, and automotive design, will contribute to the further development of Qatar’s cultural ecosystem.

Concept design of Qatar Auto Museum project by OMA

a sneak peek at qatar auto museum iN DOHA

Herzog & de Meuron will design the Lusail Museum, which will house an impressive collection of Middle East and Islamic art, while Alejandro Aravena’s Chile-based practice Elemental is currently developing the Art Mill in Doha (see designboom’s previous coverage here). More recently, Qatar Museums announced plans for Qatar Auto Museum in Doha, designed by OMA. An exhibition introducing the project, which offers a sneak peek at what the museum will present to the public, is on view at the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar until January 20th, 2023.

The exhibition explores the significance of automotive design in the 20th century and the impact of automobiles on culture, previewing the content of the new museum. the 30,000 square-meter (320,000 square-foot) museum will be located along the Lusail Expressway between the 5/6 Park and Katara Cultural Village, in the former exhibition center building that hosted the first Qatar Motor Show in 2011. Development will begin after the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy has concluded its operations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

You can watch the full discussion on powering the creative economy to drive economic development, which took place at the Doha Forum 2022, in the video below.