In a fusion of painting and architecture, Gerhard Richter transforms his Strip paintings into a unique pavilion in Doha, creating an immersive gallery space. Opening on November 20, 2026, the hexagonal structure will stand in MIA Park beside the Museum of Islamic Art. This permanent pavilion, realized with Selldorf Architect, allows visitors to experience the spatial manifestation of Richter’s art.
How His Vision Takes Shape in Three Dimensions
The pavilion’s exterior, inspired by Richter’s 2011 artist‘s book Patterns, showcases vibrant printed designs. These patterns originate from an intricate process where he morphs an image of his 1990 Abstract Painting (724-4) by digitally slicing it into vertical strips, multiplying and mirroring them to create symmetrical patterns. These designs now envelop the building, turning artistic experimentation into architectural reality.
Inside, three monumental Strip paintings adorn the walls. These paintings push the boundaries of perception, with each horizontal band representing just 0.08 millimeters of the original artwork. The space is further transformed by the centerpiece, Strip Tower, a freestanding sculpture that lifts the vibrant bands into the room, inviting deeper interaction with the space.
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Richter integrates two floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the narrower walls, enhancing the installation’s dynamic nature. As visitors explore, reflections and paintings intermingle, creating a sense of spatial expansion beyond the pavilion’s physical confines.
Inspiration from Doha
The concept for the pavilion traces back to Richter’s 2013 visit to Doha. The city’s architectural style and cultural history inspired a structure that merges various elements of his work. The pavilion exterior boasts repeating printed patterns derived from the Patterns that first inspired the Strip paintings, harmonizing with the intricate geometries of Islamic art.
Complementing the pavilion, a stone sculpture titled Brunnen (Well) further extends Richter’s artistic vision into MIA Park, weaving the pavilion into Doha’s cultural tapestry.
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A Grand Opening Linked to Rubaiya Qatar
The pavilion’s opening coincides with the launch of Rubaiya Qatar, an inaugural international visual arts quadrennial beginning November 21, 2026, and running through April 30, 2027. The event will feature contributions from over 50 artists worldwide, with Richter’s pavilion becoming a permanent fixture post-event.
Richter’s journey from a digital experiment to a physical structure exemplifies how he transforms artistic concepts into reality. From a single painting, digitally fragmented and mirrored, to the concrete walls of a pavilion, this work intertwines art and architecture. Inside, fragmented art pieces reassemble through paintings and mirrors, drawing visitors into the composition—and Richter’s vision finds a lasting home in Doha.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of Gerhard Richter’s pavilion in Doha?
Gerhard Richter’s pavilion in Doha is designed as an immersive gallery space that allows visitors to experience the spatial manifestation of Richter’s art. It transforms his Strip paintings into a unique architectural form, integrating art and space.
How are the designs on the pavilion’s exterior created?
The designs on the pavilion’s exterior are inspired by Richter’s 2011 artist’s book Patterns. They originate from an intricate process where an image of his 1990 Abstract Painting is digitally sliced into vertical strips, multiplied, and mirrored to create symmetrical patterns that now envelop the building.
When will the pavilion in Doha open to the public?
The pavilion in Doha is set to open to the public on November 20, 2026. It coincides with the launch of Rubaiya Qatar, an international visual arts quadrennial.