A National Cultural Centre has been a cultural objective of the Omani Government for many years. The practice was commissioned by the Ministry of Heritage to review a number of submitted proposals and advise on the preparation of a formal design brief. We were subsequently invited to prepare a detailed masterplan for a hillside location near Muscat.
The resulting design included proposals for two linked museums focusing on the arts and crafts of Islam, a 1,500 seat auditorium, tower restaurant, mosque and royal pavilion. The form of the Centre is intentionally vernacular, using courtyards and traditional construction both to minimize energy requirements and to stimulate local craftsmanship.
The design of the facilities around a central open space allows for phased development with the possible addition of additional facilities such as a library and associated support facilities.
