Maze replicating old Doha opens at Dahl Al Hammam Park

Residents and visitors in the country will have the opportunity to discover traditional Qatari games at a newly-constructed maze, which opened yesterday at Dahl Al Hammam Park, located opposite Tawar Mall.
The installation, built in collaboration between Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment and British Council Qatar, represents the streets of old Doha and explores the changing culture of how public spaces are used.
Winners of the British Council Qatar’s ‘Unlimited Doha Design Prize’ created the maze, which proved popular at the Qatar British Festival 2017 for “combining art and architecture.”
The winners include architect Deena al-Terawi, architect Gizem Kahraman, architect Cherng-Min Teong, archaeologist Omer Can Aksoy and architect Alex Scott-Whitby.
Park-goers will have the chance to feel how to play in the narrow streets (passages) of Doha, as well as play traditional Qatari games, as they pass through the maze.
“As part of Qatar’s Vision 2030, we are creating more opportunities for people to interact with the environment in new ways,” Mohamed al-Khouri, director, public parks department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, said in a statement. He was represented by deputy director Mohamed al-Sada at the opening yesterday.
“Doha is famous for its modern architecture but we want to ensure people do not forget about the history and culture of the people who help make Qatar what it is today,” he noted.
British Council Qatar is showcasing the award-winning design dubbed as ‘The Streets of Doha | City of Joy: Maze at Dahl Al Hamam Park’ for two months.
“The British Council is engaged in a range of cultural initiatives locally and we are glad that there is so much interest in the ways we encourage co-operation and collaboration such as this,” British Council country director Dr Frank Fitzpatrick said in a statement.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
British Council Qatar’s Programmes and Partnerships head Waseem Kotoub said Qatar’s rich urban heritage has always been a source of inspiration for local and international
architects and designers.
“We are delighted to provide and facilitate opportunities for young designers and architects in creating a collaborative work like the maze,” he said, adding that the council is keen in supporting Qatar Museums’ (QM) initiative Marchitecture.
The recently launched QM programme is a nationwide cultural showcase comprising film screenings, events, public talks and exclusive tours of many of Qatar’s best-loved buildings and sites of historic and cultural significance.
Marchitecture will also feature talks and workshops that explore art and architecture scene in the country.
The British Council Qatar will hold a talk titled “Streets of Doha: Between the Future and the Past,” which will discuss the influence of traditional Qatari architecture on the urban fabric of Doha today. It will also explore how it will continue to shape the future of the city.
Robert Carter, professor of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology, University College London Qatar, will chair the panel while Mangera Yvars Architects director Ali Mangera, Mohammed Ali Abdullah of the Emiri Diwan’s Private Engineering Office and Qatar Foundation Capital Projects Directorate’s senior architect Nur Alah Valdeolmillos
will be the speakers.