"Architecture instigating collegiality"
Notable architecture critic Raymund Ryan, curator at the Heinz Architectural Center, Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg Pennsylvania, made a recent visit to Qatar to review the latest architectural developments in Doha. As curator at the Heinz Architectural Center, Mr. Ryan has presented numerous exhibitions celebrating global architecture. His current exhibition is on the work of young Mexican architect Fernando Romero. He is a frequent contributor to important architectural publications including The Architectural Review, Blueprint and The Plan.
Ryan's itinerary took him from the Corniche where he studied the Museum of Islamic Art and the Jean Nouvel-designed urban office tower, which is currently under construction, to the unfolding landscape of Education City. The master plan for Education City was devised by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. "Isozaki is one of the most interesting architects of his generation," said Mr. Ryan. "There is strength in the general layout of Education City. The building designs are very clever and sleek and very conscious of style including a beautiful interpretation of Islamic motif in Isozaki's building across from Carnegie Mellon."
"As designed by Legoretta + Legoretta, the new Carnegie Mellon facility in Doha is a robust building with generous communal spaces. By paying attention to the Education City master plan, it shelters an important pedestrian route, thus mixing campus life with Carnegie Mellon's own activities. The quality of the internal spaces and of the materials used respond to the climate of Qatar and to a desire for sustainability into the future," said Mr. Ryan. "The way the building straddles the pedestrian route invites non-Carnegie Mellon visitors into the building to perhaps linger for a while - a splendid example of architecture instigating collegiality." During his visit to Carnegie Mellon, Mr. Ryan also took the time to attend an architecture class and participated in the critique of student projects.
The new building inauguration in February celebrated a milestone for Carnegie Mellon and underlines the university's commitment to provide world-class education in Qatar. The facility covers 43,000 square meters and is dedicated to supporting research, learning and community development. The building revolves around a three-story atrium and walkway reflecting a harmonious blend of space, natural light and color. The design fosters a greater sense of community and collaboration among students, staff and faculty throughout Education City.
"In Education City, Carnegie Mellon University has already made a substantial contribution through its teaching programs. Its first graduates are now participating in building Qatar's new knowledge-based economy," said Qatar Foundation President Dr. Mohammed Fathy Saoud. "Carnegie Mellon has shown itself to be an important partner in Qatar Foundation's mission to lead the country into the ranks of the world's most advanced societies."
Qatar Foundation provided this teaching and learning facility to Carnegie Mellon Qatar so that the university can deliver its world-class programs in a state-of-the-art setting. "This could not have been done without the
leadership and dedication of Mr. Saad Al-Muhanadi and Mr. Mohammed Abu-Ghazala of Qatar Foundation and Mr. Ahmed Darwish and Mr. Moh'd Badran of Qatar Petroleum and all of their capable employees," said Charles E. Thorpe, Dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar.
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ABOUT CARNEGIE MELLON
With more than a century of academic excellence and innovative research, Carnegie Mellon University is a global leader in education with real-world applications. Consistently top ranked, Carnegie Mellon offers a distinct mix of programs to its 10,000 students at campuses around the globe. Core values of innovation, creativity, problem solving and collaborative teamwork provide the foundation for everything we do.
At the invitation of Qatar Foundation, Carnegie Mellon joined Education City in 2004. Here, Qatar Foundation has created a world-class center for scholarship and research that is the ideal complement to Carnegie Mellon's tradition of innovation through collaboration. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar offers its highly regarded undergraduate programs in business administration, computer science and information systems to students in Qatar and the Gulf Region
© Press Release 2009
