Diwan Annex, Msheireb, Walkable streets in Downtown Doha
Diwan Annex, Msheireb, Walkable streets in Downtown Doha ©

Credits: Developer - Msheireb Properties. Architect - Allies and Morrison. Photo - Tim Makower

Apply to take part in the Unlimited Doha Design Prize

The British Council is seeking participants for the Unlimited Doha Design Prize 2016, a one-week design-residency which will take place in Doha from 18 - 26 March 2016. 

The theme is ‘The Open City’ which is focussed on mobility, and in particular improving the experience of movement within the city to make it more open and accessible to all. Participants will develop and exchange ideas in order to pioneer new approaches and innovative design solutions that can contribute to the future development of Qatar and beyond. 

The residency will bring together 20 designers currently based in either the UK or the Gulf, to be selected by an international panel of experts.  We welcome applications from architects, urban designers, engineers, 3D designers, technologists, researchers and other related specialists living in the UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.  

What are the benefits of Unlimited Doha Design Prize?

Participants will benefit from a chance to develop their creative thinking and ideas in response to a site brief whilst also building knowledge and creating international networks.  A key benefit of the design-residency is collaborative environment it generates for the sharing of knowledge, skills and insights between UK and Gulf designers and between different specialists and disciplines.  All participants will benefit from a wider educational programme of associated lectures and events.

At the end of the week, a panel of international experts will choose the winning team for the Unlimited Doha Design Prize, which includes an award of £15,000 which can be used towards further development of the project proposal.  The Unlimited Doha Design Prize 2016 builds on the highly successful Old Doha Prize 2013.  Tim Makower, chair of judges for the Old Doha Prize 2013 and principal of Makower Architects in Doha and London, praised  that architectural competition to redesign part of the historic city in Qatar for the “sharing of knowledge, skills and insights between UK and Qatari designers” and for “provoking debate about the cultural, urbanistic and economic potential of the run-down areas of Old Doha.”   

How to Apply for Unlimited Doha Design Prize?

If you would like to participate, please submit an Expression of Interest. This should be in the format of an A4 PDF portfolio of up to 10 pages (minimum of 6 pages). You can decide the format of the submission but it should include the following mandatory information:

  • main areas of your design interest in the context of The Open City theme outlined above (Max 500 words)
  • up to five examples of key projects (realised or speculative) that you feel represents your approach
  • CV of the proposed attendee(s)
  • a short statement that briefly outlines why you are applying to take part in the Unlimited Doha Design Prize and your perspective on the issue of The Open City (Max 500 words).

Submissions should be:

  • PDF format and not to exceed 2MB in size
  • emailed to UDDP mail address by 23.00 on Thursday 28 February 2016.

Successful shortlisted applicants will be announced on 2 March 2016.

Questions and answers!

For more information, details of applicant eligibility, and how to apply, please download the Unlimited Doha Design Prize Open Call. 

For additional clarification on eligibility and application, please also consult our Questions and Answers document. please do email us.

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