CONVENTION CENTER

DOHA CONVENTION CENTER & TOWER

PROJECT SITE ORIENTATION

NORTH WEST VIEW

DATE PREPARED: 04 NOV. 2008

ARCHITECTURAL NIGHT LIGHTING CONCEPT

04 NOV. 2008

DOHA CONVENTION CENTER

1.0 Vision
The Doha Convention Center will become an engine of civic and commercial growth, creating a new
economic center of gravity in the downtown district. The simplicity and elegance of the design sets a new
standard for future building and urban planning quality in the city. The Convention Center will become the
symbol of modern Doha, and the rich mix of uses and spaces in the Convention Center will establish it as a
major urban destination in the life of the city and the Gulf region.
The sweeping cantilevered lines of this 170 m wide and 590 m long silver plane will create dramatic
streetscapes just as the Towers profile will energize the skyline. The roof over the exhibit halls extends to
west, creating a Grand Ceremonial Entrance with views into the Exhibition Halls. The Convention Centers
south facing Foyer will create an exciting and lively street facade leading to the Retail Component, whose 3
floors of luxury stores overlook a spacious landscaped plaza fronting the Tower.
2.0 Site
The new Doha Convention Center and Tower lies at the heart of a rapidly expanding highrise commercial
and residential district. Located on the grounds of the existing Doha Convention Center and adjacent to the
City Center Shopping Complex, the 190 m wide x 650 m long site is bounded by Dohas main boulevard, Al
Corniche Street, and has views past the Sheraton and Four Seasons Hotels to the Arabian Gulf.
Between the Convention Center and the Sheraton Hotel lies an open piece of land. The 80,643 m site lies
at the northern end of the Corniche, directly adjoining the last large section of the public waterfront park that
runs along much of the Doha bay. It presents a unique opportunity to both conclude the waterfront
promenade with a destination feature park, and to extend this waterfront green space deep into Dohas new
downtown district. This allows the waterfront park to have a direct pedestrian link to the new Doha
Convention Center, the Q-Tel Headquarters, and a short distance away, the City Center Shopping Mall and
the Four Seasons Hotel. This Park can become the spatial focal point for the new downtown district.
3.0 Convention Center
The new Doha Convention Center consists of six large Exhibit Halls, spacious adjacent conference rooms,
and a separate Meeting Center, all located under a monumental 20.5 meter high floating blade roof.

3.1 Convention Center Roof

The thin floating silver roof is the primary feature of the Convention Center, and the symbolic counterpart to
the slender obelisk of the tower. Supported by tapered concrete columns, spaced in an 18 m x 96 m
structural bay, the metal-clad steel roof unifies all the elements of the Convention Center and Retail
functions below. Long-span cantilevered edges of the roof reinforce the concept of a floating roof and
provide needed shading for the all-glass cable faades below.
A pattern of circular skylights over the Exhibit Halls allows natural light into these spaces, reducing the
requirement for artificial lighting.

A circular edge is carved into the eastern end of the roof to highlight the contrast of the horizontal
Convention Center with the vertical Tower. This contrast is heightened at the northeast corner, where the
roof tapers to a single point.
3.2 Exhibit Halls
The main component of the Convention Center is 33,858 m of exhibition space. By utilizing movable
partitions, this continuous space can be sub-divided into 6 separate halls: 5 at 5,346 m apiece, and 1 at
7,128 m. When separated, the typical halls measure 54 m wide by 99 m deep by 18 m high. Exhibit Hall 1
can be configured in either a larger 7,128 m hall, or a typical 5,346 m hall with a 1,728 m Event Foyer for
VIPs and Ceremonial Openings. Exhibit Hall 6 has a clear height of ~8m due to location of the Meeting
Center above.
The halls are flanked on the north and south sides by core blocks, which provide support functions to the
halls such as toilets, bistros, maintenance areas, and storage.
Ticketing Lobbies for each hall are located outside the south wall of the halls, off of the Entrance Foyer, and
within close proximity to the coat check rooms.
Loading zones are located to the north side of the Convention Center and have direct access to each Exhibit
Hall. An oversize access door is located between the loading zone and Exhibit Hall 1 for oversized goods.
Storage for the halls is located above at Level 1, and is accessible by forklift-rated freight elevators.
3.4 Entrance Foyer:
On the south side of the Convention Center is the Entrance Foyer, with its 400 m long all-glass cable
faade. The Entrance Foyer can be accessed via signature entrances from the drop-off roadway, located
directly across from each Exhibit Hall entrance. Access is also at each end from the Ceremonial Drop-Off
and Retail areas.
The Entrance Foyer can become an internal public street in Doha, where pedestrians can pass through on
their way to and from the Tower and Retail areas. Visitor receptions and greeting areas can be configured in
this area as required to support conventions and traveling trade fairs.

3.5 Ceremonial Drop-Off

For the Ceremonial Opening, as well as for VIP reception, the west side of the Convention Center has been
designed as a Ceremonial Drop-Off. Sheltered by the floating roof, vehicular access allows elite guests to be
dropped off directly in front of the Event Foyer. When an Event Foyer is not required, Exhibit Hall 1 can then
have direct access to the west faade.
3.6 Conference Rooms
On Level 1 south side, above the support cores between the Entrance Foyer and the Exhibit Halls, are
conference rooms with movable partitions, that support each exhibit hall. The conference rooms provide
visual connection to each hall via glazed partitions. Access to these Level 1 rooms is via escalators,

elevators, and stairs in the Entrance Foyer. Audio/visual services are available in these rooms.
On Level 1 north side, above the support cores between the Loading Zone and the Exhibit Halls, are offices
and conference rooms for the organizers of trade shows and conventions. These rooms provide direct visual
connection to the adjacent halls and allow a private setting for business meetings to take place.
3.7 Meeting Center
Located above Exhibit Hall 6 is the Meeting Center. For large conventions, this center is flexible enough to
provide space for large meetings or dining functions. The main 2,000 m hall can be used as a single
ballroom, or divided into two 1,000 m halls. Audio/visual services are available in either configuration.
Separate vertical circulation, coat check, and toilets, allow the Meeting Center to operate concurrently with
the 6 Exhibit Halls.
4.0 Structure
The Convention Center, with a roof level at 20.5 meters above grade, houses a program that includes
exhibition halls, meeting rooms, prefunction spaces, and retail. The Convention Center has a total program
area of approximately 87,150 square meters. The structure for the Convention Center is summarized as
follows:
At Ground Level, the live loads associated with the Exhibition Hall program area are very high (33.75 kN per
square meter). In the Exhibition Hall areas, the structural framing will be a mild-reinforced, one-way slab and
beam system. The slab thickness is anticipated to be 300 mm. East-west beams (600 mm x 900 mm)
spaced at 3 m on center and north-south girders (750 mm x 1,200 mm) spaced at 9 m on center are
anticipated. Outside the Exhibition Hall, member sizes vary based on the appropriate spans and loading.
See the Structural Drawings for member size information.
At Levels 1, 2, and 3, the typical column spacing ranges from 9 to 18 m on center in each direction. To
support the program that includes prefunction and circulation, meeting room, retail, storage, and mechanical
areas, the structural framing system is anticipated to include concrete columns (typically 600 mm by 600
mm) that extend up from the below-grade levels and concrete slab, beam, and girder framing to support the
program areas and span between columns. At the Roof Level, the structural framing system will consist of
long-span steel roof trusses, in-fill steel beam framing, and both slab-on-steel deck and steel roof deck. The
long-span roof trusses, located at 18 m on center, span 96 m across the Exhibition Halls and cantilever 36 m
at each end. The steel trusses are expected to consist of two primary components. The main span, which
reaches an overall depth of approximately 5.5 m at the center of the Exhibition Hall, is made up of a steel
box compression chord and a parabolic cable tension chord offset from the compression chord with steel
pipes. The cantilever spans are comprised of conventional steel upturned trusses that reach a maximum
depth of approximately 7 m over the support columns.
Each of the long-span trusses are supported by two large tapered (1 m 2 m diameter) concrete columns.
In addition, permanent tension hold-downs are used to tie the tips of the cantilevers down to the concrete
structure below and resist permanent uplift at the cantilever spans. The loss of one hold-down has been
considered and an alternate (collapse prevention) load path is in place via the continuous box-beam

spanning between the tips of the trusses.

5.0 Energy / Comfort
Of the factors that affect a buildings energy consumption, climate is the only factor that can not be managed
by the buildings design team. The building design and how the building interacts with the climate will
determine the energy operating costs for the buildings life cycle. The idea of energy bench marking will be
introduced for this project as a guide for the owner/design team to make appropriate design decisions that
will result in acceptable life cycle energy consumption.
Energy consumption is a cost that is born by the owner or passed on to a tenant, the balance of first costs
and energy operating costs over the life cycle of the project will determine the appropriate energy target for
the Doha Convention Centre.
Acceptable thermal comfort can not be achieved without impacting a buildings energy consumption. An
integrated approach to comfort and energy consumption is required to achieve acceptable performance.
Human thermal comfort depends on the interaction of many factors, including air temperature, humidity, air
velocity activity level, clothing and radiant surface temperatures. One of the most powerful and overlooked
influences on thermal comfort is the mean radiant temperature of your surroundings. The sun's heat reaches
us as radiant energy, only a portion of its energy warms the air that surrounds us. Being surrounded by
relatively cool surfaces increases our comfort, even if the air temperatures are relatively warm. The
converse situation that of higher surface temperatures and lower air temperatures is the more common
condition in air conditioned buildings in the gulf region. As the radiant heat exchange is the dominant thermal
exchange to the human body it is critical that the surface temperatures within occupied spaces be controlled.
The major surface that will affect thermal comfort in perimeter zones is the glazing surface. As discussed in
the facade section there are a number of ways to control the surface temperature of the glass.
Low energy solutions to providing comfortable environments include appropriate shading and radiant
surface temperature control (radiant cooling), dehumidification with efficient chillers, earth tubes, desiccants,
etc., Other techniques such as displacement ventilation (slow air movement beginning at floors instead of
high-velocity air from ceiling diffusers) also provide comfort benefits.
It is also proposed that the building be assessed using ASHRAE Energy Standard 90.1 2004. Doha is in
Climate zone 1 per Standard 90.1 2004. This is the hottest and most humid zone in the climatic
classification.
6.0 Landscape Concept
The Doha Convention Centre and Tower landscape design concept is influenced by two major elements.
The first being the wave from the sea and dunes in the natural landscape. The second influence is the dot
pattern based on the super structure grid of 18 meters. Due to the complexity of requirements, functions and
forms set on the landscape design a less dominant graphic design has evolved.
The pavement design is derived from the 18 meter superstructure is reduced to 9, 6 and 3 meter grid that is

intersected with the wave forms. This pattern acts as a neutral carpet for the new tower and exhibit hall. With
in the so called dot pattern many paving materials, functions and site fixtures can be integrated. Permanent
and temporary installations can be incorporated depending on Trade Fair themes or cultural events.
6.1 Landscape Elements
Dot A grid system for dots, generated from the super structure pattern are reduced to the 3 and finally a 1,50
meter grid of the tower facade. The dots are 1,20 m in diameter and are the basis for many different paving
materials and treatments. The sub-grade buildup varies in depth and construction techniques depending on
the functional and technical requirements.

Dot Benches Pre-cast, sandblasted concrete units, with hidden pellmet lighting, function as a sitting element
as well as a vehicle barrier when strategically placed. Individual seating elements without lighting may be
placed as temporary site fixtures for certain events. These would be placed and removed as required on the
grid system.
Dot ponds Golden ponds as fine, delicate saucers with small vertical fountain and underwater lighting giving
a warm glow in the evenings adding to the indirect lighting. Strategically placed, the ponds will define
entrances and areas with restricted access such as outdoor sitting areas and lounges.
Dot lights Light dots are round, pavement flat, rings that supplement light to the overall pavement and so
reducing the necessity for mast lighting. An alternative colour selection will allow for different themes whilst
also acting as an indirect guidance system.
Water dots Water jets in the pavements assist in controlling the micro-climate and aid in reducing the
temperature in the hotter months whilst acting as an informal play and pedestrian guidance element. A small
water jet with an irregular height and frequency allows for a cooling and refreshing element that breaks the
otherwise large pavement surface.
Water pipes transparent tubes with aerated water rise out of the pavement surface and bring a vertical
element into the landscape. The water pipes can accentuate meeting points and act as a reference point. Air
bubbles and low lighting give the water pipe a lighting function and final touch.
6.2 Landscape Materials
Paving
Pedestrian and public entrances shall be paved with different Granites, (setts/slabs) varying in size
depending on the expected loads and frequency of use. The final surfaces either flamed or sandblasted.
The final choice of material will be in coordination with Architect and client.
Vehicle access areas will be paved with either Granite in representative areas, Concrete pavers in
service/loading areas and asphalt in road and property boundary fringes. Kerb and guttering will be
decided in conjunction with the respective adjoining surfaces.

Sub-grade build-up in respect to load bearing and drainage will be according to standards in co-operation with structural
engineer, architect and civil engineer.

Drainage
Surface and subsoil drainage will be designed in co-ordination with the hydraulic-engineers and architect.
An emphasis will be set on designing a surface drainage system that will not visually dominate the paving
surface yet accommodate the expected precipitation. Sub-soil drainage will be designed and if possible
and deemed viable recycled.

Loading docks (North)

Convention Center

7171 sqm

5363 sqm

GROUND FLOOR
CONVENTION CENTER
OVER VIEW PLAN

3
5363 sqm

6,800 sqm

5363 sqm

5363 sqm

Main entrance &

Foyer (South)
Total exhibition halls = 33,986 sqm

4,400 sqm

6
5363 sqm

Convention Center
5m insulated glass skylight with
Frit glass surface for solar control

ROOF PLAN
CONVENTION CENTER
1.5 x 3m High quality aluminum roof panels

3m insulated glass skylight with

Frit glass surface for solar control

CONVENTION CENTER - CEREMONIAL DROP OFF

(WEST ENTRANCE)

MAIN ENTRANCE
SOUTH FOYER

EXHIBITION
SOUTH FOYER

INTERIOR WALL
METAL CLADDING

EXHIBITION HALL-1
ENTRANCE

MAIN ENTRANCE
AND SOUTH FOYER SECTION

EXHIBITION HALL & FOYER

BUILDING SECTION

CONVENTION CENTER
BUILDING CROSS SECTION