Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2016 | Page 41
Transcending Borders: Art in Qatar and the UK |
Q
atar is quickly becoming a hotbed for top British
architects, drawn by the modern and innovative
approach the country is taking towards building the
infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup, as well as its
longer-term development plans.
Iraqi-born British architect, Zaha Hadid was
commissioned by Qatar to design the Al Wakrah
Stadium, and, in 2013, revealed a highly futuristic plan
inspired by the flowing shape of local dhow boat sails.
This 40,000 capacity stadium is now under construction.
Hadid, who was renowned for her highly expressive
and sweeping forms designed to “[evoke] the chaos of
modern life”, sadly died earlier this year. Al Wakrah
Stadium will act as a tribute to her on-going contribution
to modern architecture and global culture.
Similarly, Lord Norman Foster, Chair of Foster +
Partners, was approached to design the flagship Lusail
Stadium, the largest proposed venue for the 2022 World
Cup. With a capacity of 80,000 the proposed stadium
will be encircled by a reflective pool, with six bridges
running across it for spectators to enter. It will also
feature a state-of-the-art cooling system and a floating
roof, which can be retracted to allow the pitch to be
either open to the sky or fully covered. This is being built
as part of the wider development of Lusail as Qatar’s
first ‘smart-green’ city.
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