Carved Gypsum Panel
26.09.2025
Social impact, Ideas
How can we tell the story of human impact on the planet and help to promote change regionally, nationally and internationally?
At Barker Langham, we believe that every object can tell a story of sustainability and every museum has the power to be a voice for climate action. As part of the film series produced by BL for ICOM UK, we travelled virtually to the National Museum of Qatar to discover how historical objects can shed new light on future approaches to sustainability. The museum team highlighted the gypsum panels in their collection. These intricately carved panels are one of the most distinctive elements of traditional Qatari architecture. They are also exemplars of sustainable design and building practice: made from locally sourced materials, the panels were placed high on walls to let in light and cool breezes while allowing hot air to escape. They were essential for ventilation and cooling before the widespread use of air-conditioning. These panels are a reminder of the ingenuity of the past and how we can learn from the sustainable practices represented in museum collections around the world.