27 November 2025, Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality, Qatar University, and Doha Design District announced the winners of the annual student design competition. The winning concept will be used to design the State of Qatar’s pavilion at the International Horticultural Expo Yokohama 2027 in Japan
This year’s competition, a foundational initiative by Doha Design District and Msheireb Properties, invited students to design pavilion concepts for the EXPO 2027 in Japan, reflecting Qatar’s national identity as a leader in sustainability and design excellence. This collaborative initiative offered students a practical opportunity to apply Msheireb’s architectural language onto real-world challenges and expressing Qatar’s architectural identity on an international stage.
Over the past three months, architecture and urban planning students from the College of Engineering at Qatar University had the chance to create their concepts under the expert mentorship of Msheireb architects. From an initial pool of fourteen shortlisted students who showcased their work before a panel of judges, six were selected as finalists at the first awards ceremony.
The Ministry of Municipality hosted the final selection ceremony, during which H.E. Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya, Minister of Municipality, and Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, reviewed the six shortlisted designs. The winning concept, created by student Aia Elrayah, was awarded first place. Her design will serve as the foundation for Qatar’s pavilion at Expo Yokohama 2027, distinguished by its cultural depth and innovative character.
The winning design successfully blended Msheireb’s architectural style with the student’s creative perspective, demonstrating a thoughtful balance between cultural heritage, innovation, and creative design expression. The winning design highlights the emerging talent within Qatar’s young design community and reflects a promising and innovative future for the nation.
Dr. Fayqa Ashkanani, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Chair of the Preparatory Committee for Qatar’s participation in Expo 2027 Yokohama, stated: “The Ministry of Municipality is proud to support initiatives that strengthen the link between education and innovation, showcasing the State of Qatar on international platforms. Qatar’s pavilion at Expo Yokohama 2027 embodies our commitment to sustainability, excellence, and reflects the vital role of collaboration between government entities, academic institutions, and development organizations in supporting national talent.”
Fatima Mohamed Fawzy, Education and Sustainability Senior Manager at Doha Design District said, “We are immensely proud of the student cohort and their outstanding creativity. They demonstrated an impressive ability to translate Msheireb’s architectural language into designs that reflect Qatar’s cultural and environmental values.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Municipality for their trust in this process and recognition of Msheireb’s design philosophy as part of Qatar’s architectural identity. While selecting one winner was challenging, we’re delighted that the other finalists will continue contributing to the Pavilion’s exhibition and landscape design. This collaboration truly reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of design talent.”
Dr. Abdulla Alnuaimi, Assistant Professor of Architecture at Qatar University said, “Through this collaboration, our students have been able to translate their academic learning into a real-world project of national and international significance. At Qatar University, we are committed to empowering the next generation of designers and architects to contribute meaningfully to Qatar’s sustainable and cultural vision. The creativity and skill demonstrated in this competition are a testament to their potential and our shared dedication to excellence.”
The Doha Design District Annual Student Design Competition reaffirms Msheireb Properties’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of young designers in Qatar. It also reflects the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar University, and the development sector in supporting the nation’s aspirations and future vision at the global level.
