Qatar National Convention Centre
Arata Isozaki · Al Rayyan, Qatar · 2011
Qatar National Convention Centre is defined by a monumental branching structure supporting the glazed entrance canopy, an architectural reference to the sidra tree that has strong cultural associations in Qatar. Arata Isozaki places large conference, exhibition and auditorium spaces behind this highly symbolic public front. The building combines enormous event capacity with a carefully staged arrival sequence linked to Education City’s broader campus. Opened in 2011, QNCC is a major example of Gulf convention architecture in which structural spectacle and local symbolism are used to give a very large institutional program a recognizable identity.