Architects Take On Museums in Doha and Abu Dhabi
I.M. Pei, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel discuss their work in the Persian Gulf.
The New York Times, November 27, 2010
Two Cities, Four Architects
Two cities on the Persian Gulf, Doha and Abu Dhabi are the settings for vast construction projects, including major new museums designed by some of the world's most celebrated architects.
I.M. Pei
spoke about the simple geometric forms that make up his Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and he described the clarity of the desert sunlight as a central influence.
Frank Gehry
is building a branch of the Guggenheim that is 12 times the size of its New York headquarters. He spoke of an intuitive design approach. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, ABU DHABI
Norman Foster
is designing the National Museum in Abu Dhabi. His project is built on Saadiyat Island, and he talked about history as a guide to sustainable structures in a hot environment.
Jean Nouvel
has projects in both cities. His branch of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi is covered by a huge dome. His other project, in Doha, is the National Museum of Qatar. It was inspired by the shape of local sand roses.
Photographs by: Gehry Partners; DigitalGlobe via Google Earth,; Agence France-Presse; Reuters; Chris Ramirez for The New York Times
Norman
Foster
is designing the National Museum in Abu Dhabi. His project is built on Saadiyat Island, and he talked about history as a guide to sustainable structures in a hot environment.
SITE OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, ABU DHABI
Photographs by: DigitalGlobe via Google Earth, Foster & Partners, Horst Neumann/Image Bank via Getty, Sajid Shafique/Getty Images
Jean
Nouvel
has projects in both cities. His branch of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi is covered by a huge dome. His other project, in Doha, is the National Museum of Qatar. It was inspired by the shape of local sand roses.
LOUVRE, ABU DHABI; NATIONAL MUSEUM, DOHA
Photographs by: DigitalGlobe via Google Earth, Ateliers Jean Nouvel; Ed Alcock for The New York Times; Stephanie Kuykendal for The New York Times; Sean Gallup/Getty Images; Ernest H. Schoedsack; Owen Oxley
