City of Play project wins Unlimited Doha Design Prize

The City of Play project, designed by a UK-Qatar team of Alex Scott-Whitby, Ming Teong, Omer Can Aksoy, Gizem Kahraman and Deena Al Terawi, is the winner of the Unlimited Doha Design Prize 2016.

The Unlimited Doha Design Prize was arranged by the British Council under the patronage of Qatar Museums Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in partnership with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

Participants developed ideas for an "open city" design theme focusing on issues such as mobility and movement through space and accessibility.

The winning proposal, City of Play, offers insight into the past and future of urban communities in Doha. New play spaces on many streets are proposed to revitalize the heart of Doha.

"We would like to thank Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and all supporting partners for their efforts in making this residency week a huge success," British Council Qatar Director Frank Fitzpatrick said. "We congratulate the winning team for its exceptional work in developing the theme 'The Open City.'. The winning team is getting a grant (of $21,535) to further develop the project proposal and will gain further prominence in leading international events."

Doha Municipality Director Mohamed Ahmed Al-Sayed thanked the event's organizers and supporters.
 
"We are delighted to support the Unlimited Doha Design Prize, and the exceptional creative ideas put forward by the participants," Al-Sayed said. "Such initiatives are in line with our vision to boost urban development in a prosperous modern city that is committed to clean and safe environment. We saw very innovative ideas presented by young architects from the GCC and the UK and were inspired by their approach to develop the concept of 'The Open City.'"