The project addresses the blandness of the urban context by creating its own microcosm: an introverted private park for the inhabitants of the project framed by harmonious apartment buildings, a 30 storey tower, and an underground mall. The 255m x 170m elliptical park is landscaped with cobbled paths, lush plants and thick trees, and provides shaded areas allowing for various activities.

It is the prime backdrop for life in the Ellipse. The Ellipse perimeter ring of 10 to 12 storey buildings addresses the scale of new developments in the vicinity, yet it creates a community-style atmosphere. The buildings’ skin is made of musharrabiyya-like perforated panels obstructing the sun rays and creating interesting architectural features on the elevations that reflect some of Qatar’s traditional material and character. The tower sets a landmark beacon in the skyline of Doha and complements the Ellipse. 

Its particular design takes into account the environmental aspects in the area. The tower’s double skin creates a gap between the low-e glass panels and the internal envelope and helps reduce the heat load on the exposed elevations. The mall and entertainment area are a unique experience of an underground city. While the urban scale cuts in the mass of the tower reduce its bulk and create spectacular sky atria that enhance natural ventilation and create cool shaded spaces and green backdrops to most apartments.

area:

30 storey tower, 10 to 12 floor ellipse buildings, 256,000 m²
5 basements parking & services 205,000 m²
80,000 m² landscaped area



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architecture: nabil gholam architects
structural design: AKT II & Bureau d’études Rodolphe Mattar
electro-mechanical design and infrastructure consultancy: DEP
vertical transportation: Semaan & Soberman Engineering
traffic consultancy: Sitram, Wind Studies: BMT
retail consultant: RCG
signage: Logic + Format
lighting design: The Lofts
acoustic consultant: Acoustair
geotechnical consultant: OESC
technical control: Qualiconsult
cost consultant: Northcroft
project management: Projacs
architect of record: QDC Doha
Parametric studies for central landscaped towers: in collaboration with BAD
3D images: nabil gholam architects, Ekoomedia