Qatar National Convention Centre
Doha, Qatar
2012
Arata Isozaki
Built
Officially opened on 4 December 2011, the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is one of the most sophisticated convention and exhibition centres built to date, boasting iconic design bearing the ‘Sidra Tree’.
QNCC was designed by the renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.
The spectacular façade resembles two intertwined trees reaching up to support the exterior canopy. The tree is a beacon of learning and comfort in the desert and a haven for poets and scholars who gathered beneath its branches to share knowledge.
“The building was designed by Arata Isozaki to reference the Sidrat al-Muntaha, a holy Islamic tree that is believed to symbolise the end of the seventh heaven.” Dezeen
QNCC was conceived with a focus on sustainability. The Center was successfully built according to U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) gold certification standards. The building is designed to operate efficiently with innovations such as water conservation and energy-efficient fixtures.
A member of the Qatar Foundation, QNCC features a conference hall of 4,000-seat theater style, a 2,300-seat theater, three auditoriums and a total of 52 flexible meetings rooms to accommodate a wide range of events. It also houses 40,000 square meters of exhibition space over nine halls, and is adaptable to seat 10,000 for a conference or banquet. The Centre’s stunning architecture and cutting edge facilities are ideal for hosting local, regional and international conventions and exhibitions, gala events, theatrical productions and banquet functions.
QNCC has already garnered the following awards: “Best Events Venue 2013” by Middle East Event Awards; “Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Center” by World Travel Awards 2012; “Best Congress and Convention Center, Middle East” by Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012; and “Best Convention Center in Middle East” by MICE Report Awards 2012.
Project data:
Project: Qatar National Convention Centre
Location: Doha, Qatar
Architect: Arata Isozaki
