The Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar has announced a major expansion led by architect Lina Ghotmeh.
The museum, also known as Mathaf, launched the project on 16 December with the opening of a new library and conversation space housing publications from the Arab world.
In later phases, the museum's existing parking area and surrounding plaza will be redeveloped into studio facilities for artists and designers working in ceramics, glass, sound and textiles.
Mathaf's director, Zeina Arida, said the project marks "a new chapter" in the museum’s history.
"By expanding Mathaf's programs and spaces to include residency studios, maker spaces and workshops, we are transforming the museum into a place where artists can also create," she said.
Ghotmeh said the project will reimagine the museum as "an active space for making and learning, in addition to exhibiting and displaying".
"The Arab Museum of Modern Art is an unrivalled institution," she said. "This expansion will offer a remarkable platform for presenting art and ideas, particularly by artists from our part of the world."
When the expansion is completed, the museum will serve as a campus dedicated to research, learning and artistic production.
Lina Ghotmeh to design expansion
To achieve this, existing warehouses will be converted into purpose-built studios developed alongside leading artists.
These will include a ceramics studio designed with ceramicist Adrian Muller, a glass and materials maker space developed with artist Matteo Gonet, and a sound studio made in partnership with sound artist Tarek Atoui.
The studios will enable the Arab Museum of Modern Art to introduce a new residency program for international and regional artists.
Earlier this year, the British Museum in London announced it had selected Lina Ghotmeh to transform more than a third of the gallery space on its western side.
Images courtesy of Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture
