Jean Nouvel - National Museum of Qatar

Project Description:

The National Museum of Qatar, designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, is a striking architectural landmark inspired by the desert rose, a naturally occurring crystal formation found in Qatar’s arid soil. Located in Doha, the museum spans over 430,000 square feet and creates an immersive experience that intertwines architecture, culture, and history. Its complex interlocking disk structure symbolises the country's fusion of tradition and modernity, housing galleries, a 220-seat auditorium, a research centre, and heritage displays. Blending innovative design with contextual storytelling, the museum celebrates Qatari identity while engaging global audiences.

The Shoot:

This was another exciting personal project to take on. I spent a few days in Qatar exploring architecture and culture during the quiet, reflective time of Ramadan—which turned out to be the perfect moment to shoot without crowds or distractions.

Ateliers Jean Nouvel are one of my favorite architecture studios, so witnessing this vast, otherworldly complex in real life was an incredible experience. I gave myself the freedom and time to capture the space throughout the day, studying how the shifting light and sky tones transformed the atmosphere and surface textures. It truly felt like being on another planet—at times, almost straight out of the Dune universe.

Along the way, I met a fellow architectural photographer from Korea, which was a lovely reminder of how passion for the built environment brings people together. We shared stories and inspiration, both there for the same reason: simply for the love of design and the art of capturing it.

The days were long—starting at sunrise and shooting until sunset, often hiding from the midday heat—but deeply rewarding. Post-production was mostly about cleaning up some visual distractions to give the final images a polished, dreamlike feel.

In the end, it was a beautiful exercise in both shooting architecture and continuing to learn through doing—exactly why I love these kinds of personal projects.

Project Type | Architectural Design Photography

Architecture | The Ateliers Jean Nouvel

Location | Doha, Qatar