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Apr 16, 2023

colorful angular volumes shape resting bleachers in qatar

Seoul-based studio MOTOElastico and artist Michael Perrone collaborate on the

Seoul-based studio MOTOElastico and artist Michael Perrone collaborate on the creation of ‘Shelters’, temporary landmarks designed to serve the Doha cricket community. The project aims to provide shading for the scorching Qatari sun and resting areas for cricket players.

With cricket being a very popular sport among the South Asian community in Doha, the design team attends to the requirement of resting stands composing temporary tents of angular forms and painting them in vivid color mixes. The structures are shaped out of steel frames that are covered by Gale Shadecloth fabric and then painted. Improvised pitches on vacant dirt lots or empty parking areas usually make up for the sports courts as cricket games form a social ritual holding the opportunity for people of every background to relax and connect through the same passion.

Despite the considerable number of players that practice street cricket on weekends, there is very little infrastructure to support the games. The ‘Shelters’ project celebrates the value of the cricket community by providing two structures that can serve as gathering and resting areas.

Blue Shelters against the Lusail skyline | all images by Raviv Cohen

The initial concept of the creative team draws from the design of temporary safety spaces built for the workers next to large construction sites. These structures are usually made of scaffolding metal pipes covered with synthetic mesh equipped with wood benches and basic safety gear. The two ‘Shelters’ are fabricated with similar technology. The main structure is built with metallic pipes while the cover is made of the fabric that is normally utilized in parking shades. The interior forms a gathering space with a few wood benches that allow the users to comfortably watch the game. The entire structure is removable and can be eventually transported and installed in a different location. Artist Michael Perrone paints the large surface of the external fabric with atmospheric shades to merge the shelters into the surrounding urban landscape. The goal of the project is to use art and design to create a series of small landmarks that will positively help to shift the current perception of street cricket in Doha.

synthetic mesh in vivid color mixes covers the steel structure

the sunset peeks through the middle of the Yellow Shelter

Blue and Yellow Shelter facing different pitches