Window |
Pei’s touch is always light, his historical references always subtle. As Oliver Watson says, Pei’s design is ‘accessible ... to those who know about history, and to those who do not...’
The Museum seems to glitter in the mid-day heat. Instead of an external dome the building is topped by a cube reminiscent of the Middle Eastern wind tower.
In countries where wood suitable to use for spanning large spaces was unavailable, where brick, stone and marble were the building materials, the arch and the dome dictated the development of architecture.
Pei has used the arch to emphasize, not interrupt, the planar exterior of his building design and as a subtle reminder of its architectural heritage. The simple roman arch, the horse shoe arch, the delicate pointed arch that for many is identified with Islam, all are traced lightly on the external surfaces.
Shadows at Entrance to Museum |
It is only the slit like modernist elliptical arches cut into the tower that offer relief from the glare. Deeply shadowed they are like the eyes of a warrior, protected by a helmet.
Fountain in atrium |
The momentary suspension of sensation lifts. The skin cools, eyes adjust to the absence of glare, voices welcome the visitor.
Beyond the shadowed reception area is a light-filled atrium space, partly illuminated by a 45 metre-high tinted glass window revealing the salt-laden Gulf that surrounds Qatar on three sides.
Looking up to internal faceted dome |
A black marble fountain delineates the space in front of the window.
Beyond the fountain the eye is drawn upward to the stainless steel faceted internal dome through the oculus of which pours more daylight.
Chandelier below dome and over staircase |
Glass bridges connecting balconies |
Between staircase and dome hangs a circular ‘chandelier’ that glows even in this light filled space.
From the top of the staircase the light seems liquid and the glass bridges that connect the balconies become bridges of light on which human figures float in luminous streams.
There is time now, before entering the galleries, before departing this space to go back down the stairs, buy a coffee and sit at one of the tables overlooking the gulf, abandon all thought and merge into this radiance.
Observer
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Email: longline8@blogspot.com
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/longlinesBlog
Ref:
Watson, Oliver, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, Prestel Verlag Munich.
Through synergy of text and photo, you have recreated the experience of entering and being in this sublime space. Thank you for taking us with you.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been traveling for 3 months and only just got to read this after receiving your update about Darwin. A beautiful piece about light and space.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryce and Jo. Welcome back Jo I look forward to your next blog
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