A Palace For Nature

A Self-Sustainable Botanical Oasis in the Desert

The heart of the palace is an oasis covered by a central dome, its unique design is inspired by the Sidra Tree, which is native to Qatar and is a symbol for perseverance, solidarity, and determination. The branches are symbolized with leaf-shaped seating spaces hanging inside the Sidra Tree Dome, these seating spaces for calm and relaxation are called Floating Majlis. Traditional Qatari architecture is reinterpreted, connecting their past with the present and future.

With a total area of 2925 square meters, one of the main objectives of this project was to create indoor and outdoor spaces with sustainable solutions that could generate saving awareness in the user. Passive techniques are used to achieve a bioclimatic design, creating microclimates that provide comfort, as well as the use of active technologies that promote self-sufficiency and avoid the waste of resources, generating natural ecosystems at the same time for the preservation of life.

The microclimate needed for botanical species is created by a mist irrigation system located in the inner skin of the palace central dome. Water is obtained from an underground aquifer and sustainably desalinated by an electrodialysis system that is powered by solar renewable sources. Photovoltaic panels are integrated into the outer skin of the dome and building roofs, and water is stored in the landscaping lakes featuring various thematic gardens and picnic areas.

The design for this project is based on in-depth research and analysis, through the reading of both text and images, making a preliminary selection of relevant documentation to the conceptualization of design. It was important to understand a foreign culture to ours and to reinterpret a contemporary view on the cultural traditions of project users.

The project, located in Doha, Qatar, started in 2013 and was completed in 2014. The research was based on the search, selection, and analysis of graphical documentation, with the main objective being the contemporary architectural reinterpretation of an ancient culture, as well as their cultural customs, symbols, and meanings. The design team, led by architect Sergio Sanz Pont, worked on experimentation with techniques of both hand drawing through sketches and management of malleable digital models that could be easily transformed into the project's objectives.

A Palace for Nature was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2015 for Landscape Planning and Garden Design. This prestigious award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The design showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.