the national museum of qatar (NMoQ) opens to the public, introducing an unparalleled immersive experience housed within a new architectural masterpiece by jean nouvel. the winding gallery offers a journey through a series of unique, encompassing environments including architectural space, music, poetry, archaeological objects, commissioned artworks, monumentally-scaled art films, and more. together, the eleven galleries take visitors from the formation of the qatar peninsula millions of years ago to the nation?s present. giving voice to the nation?s rich heritage and culture and expressing the aspirations of its people, NMoQ will provide diverse educational opportunities for qatar and advance the nation?s cultural vision on the global stage.

image © iwan baan  
 
atelier jean nouvel?s completed NMoQ is presented under the patronage of his highness sheikh tamim bin hamad bin khalifa al thani. the massive space embraces as its centerpiece the restored historic palace of sheikh abdullah bin jassim al thani, the late son of the founder of modern qatar. the heritage building formerly served as both the home of the royal family and the seat of government, and was subsequently the site of the original national museum, the historic palace is now the culminating exhibit in the sweeping succession of gallery experiences.

image © iwan baan
 
 
in designing the sculptural museum, jean nouvel took influence from a natural formation known as the desert rose. this flower-like...