Ailyn Agonia
Doha
LIKE most Qatar residents, London-based architect Michel Mossessian is looking forward to the completion of Al Barahat Square, a civic space in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha master plan.
The project which has been in the making for years, is expected to be a major destination all-year round as it puts people's activities at the core of the design and will be equipped with technology that harnesses the natural conditions of the country.
"For seven years, I would come to Doha twice a month from London for the design phase of the Square. This is the first time I see it after two years (construction phase) and I am very, very pleased. It is nearly complete and it is going to be an amazing place for people," Mossessian told local media in an interview prior to his talk in Doha held recently.
"I think architecture is two things: space and people. It's really about making spaces where people feel like it is addressed to them. I think it is very important because today we are in a world of mobility, transportation, multiple cultures and most of the time we treat it as generic. And what I am trying to do now is to rethink how to create spaces for people," he said.
Highlighting the main features of the Square, Mossessian underscored the effort put in by his team in working around the essence of Qatari architecture. He said his design primarily responds to the heritage, legacy and roots of Qatari culture, as well as looks into the future by making it an ideal living place for the next generations. He said it is an ideal architectural model for the country.
"We looked at Al Wakrah, the fishermen's villages, all the legacy and heritage villages where people lived simply dealing with the weather, the heat, wind and lack of rain, and even lack of electricity at that time. One thing I really appreciate in this project is we thought the ground first then the spaces and then the buildings. In many cities, they look at the skyline but they forget the objects on the ground where you have people. So this is a beautiful model where the ground is for people. It is pedestrianised but it is not forbidden for cars to come. We have a beautiful infrastructure underneath for cars to park and people can walk and feel free to move around with their families. It is designed for different mix of age groups and people from various origins," said Mossessian.
On the role of green building and environmental and social sustainability in the project, Mossessian said the Square is designed to work with all the natural conditions of the place. He mentioned the importance of building an urbanised version of a majlis with a covered roof to block 100 percent of the sun and then tents to stop the sun's radiation as well as cool pools and an air diffuser.
"You can use the Square all days of the year. And six months of the year where it is hard to be outside, at least we have a Square where you can be in the spaces and it will be below 30 degrees and you feel comfortable to have coffee or tea and enjoy being in a public space," Mossessian remarked. (Photograph by Jalal Pathiyoor)