I.M. Pei Architect
The Museum of Islamic Art
Al Corniche
Doha, Qatar
“The desert sun plays a fundamental role, transforming the architecture into a play of light and shadows.” I.M.Pei
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art is located on the south side of Doha’s
Corniche on a man-made island sixty meters from the shore. A new
C-shaped peninsula provides protection from the Persion Gulf on the
north and from unsightly industrial buildings on the east. A park of
dunes and oases on the shoreline behind the Museum offers shelter and a
picturesque backdrop.
The museum is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges and
a vehicular bridge. Two 100 feet tall lanterns mark the boat dock on
the west side of the Museum, creating a grand entrance for guests
arriving by boat.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum is the result of a journey of discovery conducted by
I.M. Pei, whose quest to understand the diversity of Islamic
architecture led him on a world tour.
“This was one of the most difficult jobs I ever
undertook. If one could find the essence of Islamic architecture, might
it not lie in the desert, severe and simple in its design, where
sunlight brings forms to life?
I believe I found what I was looking
for in the Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Cairo (876-879). The small
ablutions fountain surrounded by double arcades on three sides, a
slightly later addition to the architecture, is an almost Cubist
expression of geometric progression from the octagon to the square and
the square to the circle. This severe architecture comes to life in the
sun, with its shadows and shades of color.” I.M. Pei
The Museum is composed of two cream colored limestone buildings, a
five-story main building and a two-story Education Wing, connected
across a central courtyard.
The main building’s angular volumes step back as they rise around a
5-story high domed atrium, concealed from outside view by the walls of
a central tower. An oculus, at the top of the atrium, captures and
reflects patterned light within the faceted dome.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
A geometric matrix transforms the dome’s descent from circle to
octagon, to square, and finally to four triangular flaps, which angle
back at different heights to become the atrium’s columns.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
On the north side of the Museum a 45 meter tall glass curtain wall,
the only major window, offers panoramic views of the Gulf and West Bay
area of Doha from all five floors of the atrium.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
The treasures from the permanent collection are exhibited on two
floors of galleries that encircle the atrium. The galleries feature
dark grey porphyry stone and Louro Faya, a Brazilian lacewood that was
brushed and treated to create a metallic appearance, which contrast
with the light-colored stonework of the rest of the Museum. To protect
the fragile antiquities on display, the exhibition rooms feature
specially designed cases and lighting.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Dedicated to reflecting the full vitality, complexity and diversity
of the arts of the Islamic world, the Museum of Islamic Art will
collect, preserve, study and exhibit masterpieces spanning three
continents from the 7th to the 19th century.
The Museum’s education programs are housed in a wing to the east of
the main building across a fountain courtyard. The Education Wing
includes a light-filled reading room in the Museum library, classrooms,
workshops, study spaces, and technical and storage facilities.
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
Photo courtesy the Museum of Islamic Art
“I remained faithful to the inspiration I had found in
the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, derived from its austerity and simplicity. It
was this essence that I attempted to bring forth in the desert sun of
Doha".
I.M.Pei
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Site Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Entrance Level Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Second Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Third Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Fourth Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
Fifth Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
West East Section
Drawing courtesy I.M. Pei Architect
North South Section Total area: 382,118 square feet
Completed: 2008
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