- Location: Doha, Qatar
- Completion: 2012
On the east coast of the Arabian peninsula Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) was created in the capital Doha. 3 freestanding shadow roofs with a unique cladding were integrated in the existing facilities.
The architectural concept was that of a relatively light-weight steel structure with a spectacular cladding relying for its effect on a special membrane. This membrane fascinates the visitor with a sophisticated play of light and shadows. The top layer of the cladding allows a small part of the sunlight to filter through, thus creating shadow images of the internal space frame structure on the bottom layer consisting of Précontraint® membrane material produced by the French company Ferrari. Architectural vision materializes as a space frame structure which in turn dissolves into intangible shadow play.
The three tent structure spread over a total footprint of 1,500 m². Only few projects of this magnitude have been realized worldwide with the specially produced Précontraint® membrane Fluotop T2 (the ‘Mercedes’ among membrane materials).
