Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2016 | Page 41

Transcending Borders: Art in Qatar and the UK | Q atar is quickly becoming a hotbed for top British architects, drawn by the modern and innovative approach the country is taking towards building the infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup, as well as its longer-term development plans. Iraqi-born British architect, Zaha Hadid was commissioned by Qatar to design the Al Wakrah Stadium, and, in 2013, revealed a highly futuristic plan inspired by the flowing shape of local dhow boat sails. This 40,000 capacity stadium is now under construction. Hadid, who was renowned for her highly expressive and sweeping forms designed to “[evoke] the chaos of modern life”, sadly died earlier this year. Al Wakrah Stadium will act as a tribute to her on-going contribution to modern architecture and global culture. Similarly, Lord Norman Foster, Chair of Foster + Partners, was approached to design the flagship Lusail Stadium, the largest proposed venue for the 2022 World Cup. With a capacity of 80,000 the proposed stadium will be encircled by a reflective pool, with six bridges running across it for spectators to enter. It will also feature a state-of-the-art cooling system and a floating roof, which can be retracted to allow the pitch to be either open to the sky or fully covered. This is being built as part of the wider development of Lusail as Qatar’s first ‘smart-green’ city. 41