Issue 9
Preserving our past
After an accidental detour , Buthaina AlZaman stumbled across an old neighbourhood in Al Rayyan and was overcome with feelings of nostalgia , reminiscing on fond childhood memories of her grandmother ’ s house .
Doha ’ s modern architecture is known for its futuristic design and dominating high-rises . Tucked away throughout the city are Qatar ’ s older neighbourhoods , home to intricate buildings which incorporate traditional geometric shapes and motifs throughout their design .
As an artist , Buthaina couldn ’ t help but gravitate towards these neighbourhoods . Focusing on the main exterior , she was drawn to the unique doors crafted from either wood or metal , which she believes serves as a pathway to understanding Doha ’ s history .
Bothayna launched an Instagram account dedicated to these doors , going by the name “ 100 Doors Qatar ”. She explains that she hopes to “ encourage the preservation of old neighbourhoods ” and to document the history and culture of Qatari architecture for future generations .
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