Msheireb Downtown Doha has set the bar high. As the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, its mission is to change how people think about urban living through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and environmental stewardship.

The district is divided into five sections that weave together hospitality, retail, residential, commercial, and civic buildings. At one corner, the Diwan Amiri Quarter houses Qatar’s seat of government, including the administrative headquarters and Qatar National Archive. In the Heritage Quarter, four traditional courtyard houses and the Msheireb Prayer Ground have been restored. The other three quarters have a primary focus on retail, mixed-use/residential, or office uses.

Arup, AECOM, and Allies and Morrison were master planners for the project. Gensler was integral to the team that designed and built the district, playing a leadership role in two of the six construction phases. For Phase 2, Gensler was the executive architect and one of three design architects, and for Phase 3 served as executive architect, coordinating a multidisciplinary team.

Developments such as this are vital to the Gulf region, because they seek to preserve cultural history while fostering national identity. “We saw this project as an opportunity to use design to inspire the nation, while focusing on what the project can give back to the country as an example of authenticity and future potential,” says Gensler Co-CEO Diane Hoskins. The new district will become a social and civic hub, reversing development patterns in Doha that have tended toward isolated land use, reliance on automobiles, and energy-wasting structures.

Creating a strong sense of place was vital. The design of individual buildings and public spaces was inspired by traditional Qatari heritage and architecture—its simplicity, proportions, patterns, ornament, and response to climate. “These references include the use of thick walls, inward-looking courtyards for privacy, and traditional pattern elements for decoration,” says Hoskins. Buildings are clad primarily in regional stone and the predominant earth-tone colors seen in the region, while connected squares, courtyards, and streets promote a sense of community.

As a LEED community, Msheireb Downtown Doha promotes a healthy lifestyle through walkable districts served by a tram and underground parking. The substantial below-grade zone for parking and services is a vital component of the district, because it keeps vehicles and deliveries off the streets and makes for a safer pedestrian environment. The internal tram system further discourages the use of cars, while charging stations for electric vehicles are installed throughout the district.

With a commitment to blend into the existing urban fabric, the design maintains the old city’s street grid, adapting to the harsh summer climate with shaded squares, courtyards, and streets that create an authentic neighborhood for residents. These open spaces are oriented toward prevailing winds, allowing cooling breezes to flow through the streets. An enjoyable public realm—consisting of street-level retail, public art, landscaping, and engaging spaces—invites walking and enriches community life. The region’s largest covered public square, Barahat Msheireb, will be active throughout the year with street entertainment and community events.

Sustainability is central to Msheireb Downtown Doha and its holistic design principles: the preservation of existing heritage sites; the use of local materials, natural light, and ventilation; and adoption of new green technologies for efficient use of water and electricity. All buildings are designed to achieve LEED Gold or Platinum certification. The use of PV cells for solar power generation and gray water recycling are among efforts to reduce energy consumption by 32 percent. In addition, abundant landscaping on roofs, streets, and internal courtyards will contribute to the project’s ambitious sustainability goals.

Gensler’s role in Phase 2 included comprehensive oversight of 12 buildings totaling nearly 145,000 square meters of space. Included in this phase were retail, offices, a hotel, and both low-rise and high-rise residential. In our executive architect role, we managed the project team from the pre-concept stage through construction documentation, on-site observation, and supervision. In addition, Gensler acted as design architect for five levels of below-grade parking and infrastructure, a residential tower consisting of 59 apartments, and all the retail elements, including the 200-meter-long Galleria retail center and department store. For Phase 3, Gensler was executive architect for 15 additional buildings and basements, including high-end retail, low- and high-rise residential, a hotel, mosque, and offices.