Msheireb Downtown Doha Street Furnishings – Cultural research and summary

Client: Msheireb Properties – Qatar  2012 to 2016.
Designers: Jonas von Stedingk Industrial Design and Harry Dobbs Design
Manufacturers : GMRenlights, Italy
Msheireb Downtown Doha Public Realm Furnishings competition winner

A collaboration between Jonas von Stedingk Industrial Design and urban designers Harry Dobbs Design won the international design competition for bespoke street furnishing elements for the Downtown Doha development in the centre of the Qatari capital. Sixteen different types of furnishing elements were developed for this prestigious 31 hectare, $6 billion mixed-use development by Msheireb Properties (a subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation, see msheireb.com) on a prime location between the Emir’s Palace and the Souk.

At the heart of the project lies a research methodology we applied to investigate environments and typologies, including traditional and new uses of Qatari public spaces, as well as delving back into cues of cultural rootedness. We then ensured our designs – see further down – resonated with our findings in subtle and intelligent ways. This became key to the winning bid.