Doha Souks in Doha, Qatar

November 16, 2010 Category: Commercial Building, Retail

Doha Souks, that located in Doha, Qatar was designed by Nabil Gholam Architects. The proposed scheme is based on a low-rise perimeter block type development with active external and internal edges. The built-up area is distributed over three floor plates, each self-contained with its own vertical circulation and services core. The passages between these blocks become the entrances and alleys leading to an internal covered courtyard that is the heart of the project.

The result is a modern mall as a reinterpretation of a traditional khan-like souk typology. It is organised around a freed up central space that is lushly landscaped and is designed as a main part of the eco-friendly air conditioning system of the project. It is accessible through a pedestrian avenue cutting through the project and extending the Mirkab street shoppers promenade.

Climatic comfort is achieved through an innovative system combining common artificial air conditioning with a natural passive system relying on radiant cooling and air stratification; water walls flanking lush greenery facilitate vaporisation and condensation, as carefully placed openings channel the strong southern winds into the mall, and help preserve a layer of cooler air close to the shoppers.

Doha Souks design by Nabil Gholam Architects