QNCC is a member of Qatar Foundation. It aims to support Qatar on its journey from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy by unlocking human potential. It was established in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His wife, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, is Qatar Foundation’s chairperson.
The building is located on Qatar Foundation’s 2.500-acre campus (masterplanned by Arata Isozaki), which hosts faculties from world-renowned universities to home-grown research centers. QNCC was conveived with a focus on sustainability. The Centre was built according to US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) gold-certification standards.
It featured a 4.000-seat conference hall, a 2.300-seat theatre, three auditoria and a total of 52 flexible meeting rooms to accommodate a wide range of events. It also houses 40.000 sq.m. of exhibition space over nine halls, and is adaptable to seat 10.000 for a conference or banquet.
The tree-like structure is a reference to Sidra al-Muntaha, a holy Islamic tree. The architect noted: “The tree is a beacon of learning and comfort in the desert and a haven for poets and scholars who gather beneath its branches to share knowledge”. QNCC was designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and opened in 2011.
Images shot and edited by Pygmalion Karatzas.
I would like to thank:
Janet Leow, PR & Communications Manager of QNCC,
Khalifa Essa Al-Kubaisi, Press Office Coordinator of QF,
Azza Al Rifai, Communication Directorate of QF,
Anwar El-Shamy, Press Office Coordinator of QF.
Qatar National Convention Centre:
Qatar Foundation:
Architect Arata Isozaki & Associates:
