Zayed National Museum

The project was designed by Foster + Partners and is part of the cultural district, the wider masterplan for Saadiyat Island which also includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Museum.

The distinctive features of the building’s exterior are the falcon wing shaped steel structures that are placed on the main building which is clad in GRC panels mimicking the mountain formations of the UAE and the landscape that connects the building to the coast line where landscaping, planting, and installations will explore key moments in the life of Sheikh Zayed and his transformation of the UAE.

Besides the main galleries, the interior concept contains a variety of performance spaces, large auditorium and venues for poetry readings and the visitors to gather. The lobby provides a more informal atmosphere combining a highly efficient, contemporary form with elements of traditional Arabic design and hospitality to create a museum that is sustainable, welcoming and culturally of its place.