Murwab is the first Islamic settlement located in the North Western region of Qatar whose inhabitants relied on astronomy for navigation through the desert and as a means to uphold religious practices. Although the village and its culture were abandoned, the national and local community of Qatar currently rely on astronomy for scientific research and for leisurely activities such as stargazing and astrophotography.
Murwab’s remote location has the potential to benefit both communities by proposing a project that will respect the site’s historical context and provide a centre for its users to practice their activities. The main complexity the project must overcome is light pollution. Therefore, the project must be recessed within the earth to counter its effects. In addition, both site morphology and the nature of its nomadic inhabitants are the source of project’s overall design.