A QATAR project central to the 2022 Fifa World Cup has secured world-class recognition for architectural excellence at the MIPIM Future Project Awards which were held in Cannes, France, last month.

The awards are organised by the respected engineering magazine Architectural Review.

SAK Holding Group’s Valley City project, which topped the regeneration and masterplanning category, was hailed as a “consolidated architectural milestone” by the judges.

They said the design was highly creative, showcasing elegant engineering and architectural details that will accommodate the future needs of a growing population.

The designs adhere to standards of quality and sustainability, health and safety that contribute positively and effectively to the community’s development, according to them.

To be built on an area of 3 million sq m, Valley City is designed by Lebanon-based MZ Architects, who received the retail and leisure award for the design of the Al Ain stadium at MIPIM Future Project Awards last year.

Valley City is located next to a World Cup stadium and aims at providing housing and a business integrated environment. The project includes thousands of residential units that are divided into houses and apartments and villas of various sizes.

Some of the other features are a resort attached to a four-star hotel to be built over an area of 12,000 sq m, a 250,000-sq-m central park, a 40,000-sq-m mall, 20,000-sq-m markets and a 20,000-sq-m cultural village, in addition to mixed-use buildings, business and commercial offices and recreation areas.

“Sustainability is one of the main considerations of the project, guided by Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) and its concepts such as solar energy conservation, eco-friendly buildings, low-carbon transport systems, high-quality locally-procured building materials, waste management and water conservation,” said Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, SAK Holding Group chairman.

Another Qatari project – Qatar Olympic Committee’s Doha City Tennis Stadium – was also a winner among the award’s 11 categories, taking the top slot in the sport and stadiums category.