How Bahrain’s Al Dana Amphitheatre Is Ushering in a New Era of Architecture in the Gulf

Harshita Suresh August 1, 2023

1 minute read

Bahrain’s striking Al Dana Amphitheatre exists very much as part of the surrounding environment.

Located in the desert in Sakhir, in the island’s Southern Governorate where the Formula One Grand Prix is held, the 10,000-seater venue is set against the backdrop of Jebel Al Dukhan, which translates to Mountain of Smoke and is the country’s highest point.

Seamless and dynamic, Al Dana Amphitheatre feels like a natural part of the site and was deliberately created as such.

“I had a crystal clear idea of what I wanted to do even before I got the brief,” Marwan Lockman, founder and director of S/L Architects, said.

“It immediately came to me. Even from my very first sketch, the design didn’t change very much at all.”

After that first sketch, it took Lockman and his team six years of detailed design and 18 months of building to complete the concert hall which, since opening in 2021, has welcomed some of the region’s – and world’s – most famous acts.

These include Emirati singers Ahlam and Hussain Al Jassmi, musician Eric Clapton, comedian Russell Peters, Dutch DJ Tiesto, comedian Michael McIntyre, Grammy award-winning artist Bruno Mars and bands such as Kings of Leon and Imagine Dragons.

“We’ve been wanting a place like this in Bahrain for 40 years. We’ve been begging for somewhere to play music,” says Lockman, who is also a musician.

Marwan Lockman's initial sketch of Al Dana Amphitheatre, top left, and more detailed designs of the concert hall. Photo: S/L Architects — Marwan Lockman’s initial sketch of Al Dana Amphitheatre, top left, and more detailed designs of the concert hall. Photo: S/L Architects

“I’ve been to shows all over the world as an avid music lover, so when the opportunity came to be able to take all that knowledge that I had and put it into this, it felt natural,” he says.

Lockman’s vision included how the structure would be built downwards into the limestone ground. This was to make the concert hall part of the landscape, make use of the materials of the desert and respect the natural surroundings.

It was also important for Lockman to reduce its carbon footprint during the building process. He did this, again, by considering the landscape and materials available in the area.

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