In 1979 I built a zoo in the desert adjacent to a single villa belonging to the old ruler of the State. I knew very little about the do's and dont's of zoo technology but a great deal via the Zoolgical Societies admirable proffessionals who took me slowly through: how far can a snake jump and how far can a lion slither.

Another problem was how to do the work and live in the desert. So an enormous motor home was purchased and after learning to drive it, we all set off to drive the five thousand miles to Qatar.

Provision was made to put down a concrete pad on which to park the van at the site and the next three months we built the Zoo and lived like nomads in the van in the desert.

We built the Zoo from sprayed cement onto steel mesh and our faithful team of Afghans, and Baluchis folded, wired together and shaped the sculptural mountains which formed the cages and aquariums which are still there today - after 20 years.

Design model for the new Amiri palace

Cladding panels, the artist surveys his work

the Corniche in Doha

the Palace gardens