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Culinary Liwan
Placemaking Proposal – Education City:
This project explores placemaking as a strategy to activate a heritage site in Education City. The design is inspired by the liwan, a traditional Qatari architectural element, reinterpreted as a flexible social structure that encourages gathering and interaction.
The intervention introduces a community-based program centered around harvesting and shared cooking, using food as a universal element that brings people together. Market spaces, shaded structures, and open seating areas create an environment that supports exchange, participation, and everyday use.
By combining cultural references with contemporary spatial strategies, the project aims to transform the site into an active and inclusive space that fosters community engagement and social connection.
Site Plan
The site plan organizes a series of flexible structures within a landscaped setting, creating a network of shaded gathering points connected by informal circulation paths. Inspired by the liwan, the layout encourages movement, interaction, and visibility, while integrating greenery to soften the environment and enhance comfort. The arrangement supports community activities such as markets, harvesting, and social gatherings, activating the site as a cohesive and inviting public space.
The spatial strategy is organized through three key layers: access, rest, and activation. Entry points guide movement into the site, leading to shaded areas designed for pause and social interaction, before opening into more active zones that host community activities. This layered approach creates a gradual transition through the space, encouraging engagement while maintaining moments of comfort and retreat.
The entry sequence is designed as a shaded pathway that guides movement into the site while framing moments of interaction. Vertical elements and light canopies create a welcoming threshold, encouraging people to slow down, gather, and transition naturally into the space.
This space transforms into a communal gathering zone, particularly during events like Ramadan, where shared meals and seating arrangements foster social connection. Soft lighting and flexible layouts allow the space to adapt to cultural activities, reinforcing a sense of belonging and community.
The activation zone hosts market and harvesting activities, where people come together to exchange, cook, and engage. Inspired by traditional practices, the space becomes lively and interactive, turning everyday routines into collective experiences that strengthen community ties.