The Gulf nation of Qatar has chosen to set up its base – The Bayt Qatar, or House of Qatar – for the Olympic Games at the London headquarters of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on Savoy Place. The site will be completely transformed within 10 days, with the Olympics beginning on 27 July.

For the 16 days of the Olympics, the venue will “capture the culture, heritage and sporting achievements of Qatar.” All three floors of the venue will be used, including its reception area, tiered lecture theatre and meeting rooms with panoramic riverside views, to showcase several themes: Women in sport (2012 marks the first time the nation has sent women to the Olympics); technology and innovation in enhancing athletic performance; and its successful 2022 World Cup bid.

Any Qatar sporting achievement at the 2012 games will be celebrated in the Riverside Room.

H.E. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, general secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee, said: “The Qatar Olympic Committee is delighted that it will be hosted by the prestigious IET. The 2012 Games will mark a significant moment in our journey in the Olympic movement and so it was even more important that the venue for Bayt Qatar delivers on the various needs of our stakeholders.”

Pictured: IET London: Savoy Place