Qatar Science and Technology Park

Qatari Science and Technology Park Wins International Building of the Year 7 Sep 2009 Woods Bagot, the 2009 AJ100 International Practice of the year, is pleased to announce that its Qatar Science and Technology Park has received the LEAF award for International Building of the Year and also the prestigious overall 2009 LEAF award. Photos : Trevor Mein Photography In evaluating the project the Judges were impressed with the use of materials, the composition and the articulation of cultural and climatic context to produce a building of such size that maintains a human scale. Part of Qatar Foundation's Education City, the aesthetically striking QSTP hosts technology centres of some of the world's leading companies. The facility comprises a business incubator to commercialise the fruits of Qatar Foundation's strong investment in research. The iconic science park has a key role in generating opportunities for Qatar's scientists and entrepreneurs, by creating an international hub for technology-based business and spurring the country's knowledge economy. The building has a floor area of 98,500 sqm. The QSTP site comprises the Emerging Technology Centre, housing its business incubator, administration and serviced offices for small-to-medium companies, and two flanking Innovation & Technology Transfer Centres where large companies are now installing their R&D centres. Alf Seeling, Design Director for Woods Bagot in the Middle East, said: "For the Qatar Foundation this development demonstrated to the world a different way of doing things - Qatar wanted to announce a new global benchmark for science parks with an identity that is unique to the country." The Executive Chairman Dr Tidu Maini from the Qatar Foundation stated that QSTP is unique in what it seeks to do in the Middle East region. We needed a building which would represent this unique endeavour through an innovative design while keeping up with international best practices. Woods Bagot has created an architectural marvel that symbolises our cornerstone values of innovation, collaboration and sustainability. Ross Donaldson, Group Managing Director for Woods Bagot said: "This project represents a combination of the best of our design intelligence underpinned by our commitment to research and delivered from the talent in our global studios. However the key aspect from our perspective was that we were led by a remarkable client with an aspirational vision, without which we could not have achieved this result." QSTP is both architecturally elegant and fitting with the site as a whole. The approach to the park is dominated by the distinctive, undulating roof, and the structure is visible from the centre of Qatar's capital Doha. The significance of this location has been marked by Woods Bagot through the use of a perforated, aluminium 'veil', that runs along the front length of the site. Shimmering in the desert sun, the veil is at once functional, providing shade and the basis for the development of microclimatic environments through the careful selection of finishes and softscape areas, and the re-interpretation of the shapes of the surrounding desert and other influences from Qatari culture. Divided into eleven distinct zones, Education City involves a total built-up area of 2.1 million sq m and represents considerable investment in the development of education infrastructure in Qatar serving and developing a research and education community. Mark Mitcheson-Low, Woods Bagot's Regional Managing Director for the Middle East added: "As part of its long-term vision, QSTP's purpose is to become an internationally recognised hub for research and commercialisation. To this end, the world-class design of the building is already providing a draw to global technology leaders and will become the focus for the business goals of all of Qatar." Qatari Science and Technology Park Award information received 070909 Woods Bagot Unveils Completed Qatar Science and Technology Park 16 Mar 2009 World-renowned architects Woods Bagot will release the first images of the striking Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) at MIPIM 2009. His Highness The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, will officially open the distinctive QSTP on March 16, marking a new dawn of scientific innovation in the Middle East. Woods Bagot will unveil the model and images of the completed project at its MIPIM Stand 13 at this year's event. The practice's Middle East office is already reporting that orders for such energy-efficient, sustainable designs are on the increase from countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia. "The scale of QSTP is obviously one of its most immediately recognisable features," said Mark Mitcheson-Low, Regional Managing Director of Woods Bagot Middle East. "It is a statement of serious intent on behalf of the people of Qatar. It represents a dedication to develop a knowledge-based economy that will continue to sustain Qatar should the oil-based economy slow down." The size of QSTP is, however, both architecturally elegant and fitting with the site as a whole. The approach to the park is dominated by the distinctive, undulating roof, and the structure is visible from the centre of Qatar's capital Doha. "We have created both a physical and virtual hub for the knowledge economy in Qatar," said Mitcheson-Low. "It will be an effective environment for research, with an identity that is both unique to Qatar and of global stature."