pygmalion karatzas photographs icons of contemporary doha

pygmalion karatzas photographs icons of contemporary doha
all images © pygmalion karatzas

greek photographer and architect pygmalion karatzas of achaia-based studio karatzas-architects has documented a photo-reportage covering doha’s contemporary architecture. the images capture the capital’s built environment, which is home to more than 90% of the country’s 1.7 million people, with over 80% professional expatriates. the rapidly growing city was historically a fishing and pearl diving town and up to the mid 1960s, the majority of the buildings were individual traditional houses. the modernization of the city occurred during the 1970s, but during the 80s and early 90s the process was slowed down.

in recent years qatar has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world and as such the city is acquiring significant importance. at the heart of the vision for the country’s development is a decreased dependence on natural resources and an increased reliance on a knowledge economy such as international universities and businesses, high tech and it, and generally advanced producer services.

qatar national convention center, doha – architect arata isozaki

the city inhabits approximately 18 km in the north-south axis along the sea side and 18 km in the east-west axis, with most of its coastline being man made. west bay is the business and diplomatic district on the north side, concentrating most of the skyscrapers dominating the skyline. located within this site are many of the international companies’ headquarters, governmental ministries, high-rise hotels and apartment buildings, and shopping centers.

museum of islamic art, doha – architect I.M. pei

the pearl is the new sea-side high-rise residential development planned by seattle-based architecture firm callison on an artificial island expected to consists of 45,000 people by 2015. in close proximity the katara cultural and heritage village, which houses various cultural institutions and recreational activities. the area also includes high-end hotels, shopping centers, the west bay lagoon, doha’s golf club, qatar university’s campus and a number of embassies.

texas a&m university, doha – architects legorreta + legorreta

al hitmi, doha – architects norr

liberal arts & science college, doha – architects coelacanth K&H

aspire dome, doha – architect roger tailibert

msheireb enrichment center, doha – architects allies & morrison

museum of islamic art park, doha – architect I.M. pei

the torch hotel, doha – architect hadi simaan

burj qatar tower, doha – architect jean nouvel

hamad bin khalifa university, helix courtyard, doha – architects legorreta + legorreta, artist jan hendrix

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