Like a collection of delicacies laid out on a platter, the chunky buildings frame a large central amphitheater while retaining their unique, almost ancient silhouettes. Buildings are made of simple, playful blocks and slabs, copied, rotated, and stacked on one another loosely to create overhangs and a sense of intimacy and shade. The combination of overhangs creates a differentiated indoor/outdoor environment, protecting the beings beneath. Circulation moves vertically up into habitable roofs and towers allowing for views toward the stage and the city beyond.


Glance-cutting and graphic edges make the blocks and roofs appear to fuse together, but on closer inspection the discreteness of the parts is maintained by physical joints. The graphic qualities make the project appear toylike, contrasting and creating tension with the with the megalithic simplicity of the forms. A sense of indeterminacy therefore prevails, both in terms of scale and origin, creating a sense of mystery and wonder.


The collection of buildings is overlaid by a blanket of digital LED tile and projections that show content not directly related to the FIFA games, such as the flora and fauna of Qatar. Mega-scaled, augmented-reality falcons fly overhead, and huge AR oryx walk among the fans and jump up onto rooftops.