Msheireb Museums celebrates 10 years, launches major publications on Qatar’s architectural heritage

Msheireb Museums celebrated its 10th anniversary Monday, bringing together leading international and regional architects, cultural leaders, and heritage preservation experts to examine a decade of architectural innovation and cultural transformation in Qatar.The event at Bin Jelmood House was marked by two panel discussions and the launch of two new publications that document the museums’ role in shaping Qatar’s contemporary built environment.Led by Msheireb Museums general manager Abdulla al-Naama and attended by senior officials from Msheireb Properties, the conference underlined the museums’ impact on defining a unique modern Qatari architectural identity.A highlight of the celebration was the launch of two publications: ‘Building on Tradition – The New Architectural Language of Qatar’ and ‘Msheireb Museums: Transforming Doha's Heritage Houses.’‘Building on Tradition’ establishes a comprehensive framework for contemporary Qatari architecture through the introduction of the ‘Seven Principles.’ Utilising Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), dubbed as the world’s largest sustainable downtown regeneration as its primary case study, the book demonstrates how timeless architectural wisdom can inform exceptional 21st century urban design. According to Msheireb Museums, the Seven Principles – Continuity, Individual and Collective, Space and Form, Aspects of the Home, Aspects of the Street, Designing for Climate, and Architectural Language – offer a sophisticated methodology for honouring Qatar’s cultural identity while addressing modern needs through climate-responsive and culturally sensitive design.The second publication, ‘Msheireb Museums: Transforming Doha's Heritage Houses,’ chronicles the meticulous restoration of the four historic houses at the heart of the museums: Radwani House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, Company House, and Bin Jelmood House. The book documents the unique conservation approach, detailing how these rare examples of traditional Qatari domestic architecture were transformed into powerful, contemporary museological narratives, achieving LEED Gold standards.The event featured two panel discussions exploring the interplay between architectural heritage and future-forward innovation.The first talk, titled ‘The Architectural Alphabet - Crafting Msheireb's Urban Language,’ examined the architecture and urban planning foundational to Msheireb’s development, addressing the necessity of depicting the past while embracing the future and the importance of creating safer urban spaces. The panel included Rosanna Law, Simon Gathercole, and Michael Mossessian, and was moderated by Eng Fatima Mohamed Fawzi, senior manager – Education and Sustainability, Doha Design District.The second discussion, ‘Truth in Translation - Weaving Heritage into the Modern Fabric,’ shines a spotlight on the sensitive process of transforming historic buildings into dynamic storytelling spaces. This panel featured experts John McAslan, Fanos Panayides, and Fatima M Fazwy, and was moderated by Fahad al-Turki.