John McAslan and Partners has transformed a group of historic houses within Msheireb Properties’ flagship redevelopment of the historical downtown area of Doha. The four historic houses – Company House, Bin Jelmood, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House – have been imaginatively remodelled and extended to acommodate state-of-the-art museum environments showcasing key elements of Qatari history and culture. Located in the historic centre of Doha, the Heritage Quarter is the traditional anchor of Qatar’s cultural, religious and political power.
The practice’s architectural responses are specific to each house and yet share a coherent “DNA” that presents the four museums as a cohesive, overarching visitor experience. Interventions, whilst sensitively designed and harmonious with the existing structures, offer a clear distinction between the original historic fabric and new build elements. This poised juxtaposition of new and old highlights the clarity and legibility of the practice’s vision, creating a remarkable museum experience for the visitor. Innovative interventions have reconfigured the original domestic structures so that they now function as modern museums in terms of circulation and environmental conditioning. Previously external courtyards have been enclosed with elegant structures inspired by traditional Islamic designs, creating dynamic new exhibition spaces characterised by a subtle rhythm of shade and dappled sunlight.
The creation of museums within existing buildings is always challenging, requiring a forensic analysis of original building fabrics, and an appreciation of the way in which these buildings relate to their environment. While respecting the heritage value of these structures, the practice has sensitively transformed them to accommodate the latest museum display technologies. In the age of Google and iPad, the Msheireb museums bring history vividly to life, using interactive exhibition displays to communicate the experience, artefacts and meanings of the past to a 21st-century audience. Imaginatively preserving Doha’s rich heritage, the Msheireb Museums communicate a distinct chapter of Qatari history and culture.
Today the Msheireb Museums provide a meaningful context for the dynamic growth of the modern city. The scheme sensitively restores and enhances the Heritage Quarter’s distinct sense of place, retaining its historic character while creating a vibrant hub for the reinvigorated cultural activity of the modern city. The result is a sequence of buildings with a shared DNA, reviving local heritage and culture through a unified architectural idiom. The Msheireb Museums are rooted in the past while looking to the future.