Leigh & Orange creates slick equestrian performance arena in Qatar Leigh & Orange was commissioned to build the world class equine facility, Al Shaqab Equestrian Performance Arena, located in Doha, Qatar. The 800,000 square meter equestrian academy is part of the Education City complex, containing 7,000 seats with an extended capacity of 10,000, providing a grand inner precinct for the Emir¡¦s stables and the large Performance Arena that acts as the central focal point. The performance arena houses have three primary functions: a warm up area and two performance arenas¡Xindoor and outdoor. Conceptually the building is treated as three distinct elements: the plinth base, the roof and the infill glazed wall that links these two elements. The roof form aims to recall traditional desert tents hovering on the horizon which is curved in two directions with its high point over the indoor arena. Our practice founded in 1874, Leigh & Orange is a large, well-established, international architectural design practice offering high quality design and project management services on a wide range of building types, in both public and private sectors throughout Hong Kong, China and the Middle East. To know more about us, please visit www.leighorange.com.

Photos by John Nye