The Bedouin tent, the Bayt Sha’ar, was more than a shelter; it was a stable and protective gathering place
in the ever-changing desert, where the wind reshaped the dunes and the stars guided the way. In today’s “liquid society”,
the artistic reinterpretation of the desert tent emerges as a modern archetype of stability.
Arranged like a constellation, the five golden sensory pavilions evoke the guiding stars of the desert night, reconnecting
community, identity and belonging in a contemporary world of perpetual transformation.
The design of NASIM | Doha originates from the fusion of neuroscience, cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.
Rooted in neuroaesthetic research, the project translates scientific evidence on how the senses influence human
wellbeing into a tangible urban experience. A symbol of sustainable design that blends tradition, innovation and
environmental responsibility
The pentagon was chosen as the conceptual
and spatial matrix, a geometry that
symbolizes the five senses and echoes the
decorative patterns of Islamic art. This
unifying form generates a family of
site-specific pavilions that are identical
in structure yet unique in sensory content,
each dedicated to sight, hearing, smell,
taste and touch
The pavilion’s shape reinterprets the traditional Bedouin tent, Bayt Sha’ar,
through a parametric, aerodynamic design sculpted by the Gulf breeze (Nasim).
Its golden exterior and silvery interior enhance the play of light and reflection,
while the perforated canopy echoes Islamic geometric motifs. Beyond its symbolic
value, the canopy optimizes daylight, airflow, and microclimatic comfort,
transforming each pavilion into a self-sufficient sensory micro-ecosystem
The pavilion’s bio-composite canopy, inspired by the Bedouin Bayt Sha’ar, has
been tested through digital wind-tunnel simulations. Its aerodynamic form is
shaped by natural airflow, optimizing shading, cooling, and microclimatic
comfort while maintaining structural lightness, stability and resilience
The seating elements are urban design
features, conceived as continuous sculptural
cylinders, solid, stable, and immovable.
Made from eco-friendly bamboo and biopolymer
composites, they are durable, pleasant to
the touch, biodegradable and mechanically
resilient, offering comfort with minimal
environmental impact
Each pavilion stands as a resilient, low-impact micro-ecosystem. Its golden
composite canopy, engineered from durable and recyclable fibers, reflects light
like a precious fabric while guaranteeing structural strength, UV resistance
and longevity. The geometric perforations, echoing Islamic artistry, filter
daylight, create cooling shade and channel natural airflow, transforming the
pavilion into a self-sufficient climate-responsive landmark
NASIM | Doha fuses advanced technology with art and ecology to promote urban
wellbeing. Emotional AI systems sense and display visitors’ feelings before and
after the museum experience, preserving privacy, highlighting the uplifting impact
of culture. At the same time, live monitors stream real-time footage and data from
Doha Bay, linking the city to its marine ecosystem and inspiring awareness,
wonder and care