MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Zayed National Museum has been shortlisted alongside 18 projects from around the world for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) to be held from November 18 to 20, for its unique architecture, sustainability and cultural storytelling.
The national museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, fuses the history and heritage of the UAE with contemporary architectural design inspired by the country’s environment and culture.
Mouza Al Qemzi, Design & Development Unit Head at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the museum’s ability to combine purpose and identity was among the elements that distinguished it to the WAF jury.
“What distinguished Zayed National Museum to the jury is the way its architecture brings together purpose and identity,” Al Qemzi said. “Every element of the building has been designed to support the museum’s mission to tell the story of the United Arab Emirates through the vision and values of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Designed by Foster + Partners, the museum’s architecture draws on the UAE’s cultural heritage while incorporating innovative and sustainable design principles.
Its five soaring steel towers, inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight, form a distinctive feature of Abu Dhabi’s skyline while serving an environmental purpose by supporting natural ventilation and improving the building’s energy performance.
Al Qemzi said the design reflects Sheikh Zayed’s belief that understanding the past is essential to shaping the future.
She noted that the building and surrounding Al Masar Garden draw inspiration from the UAE’s diverse landscapes and natural topography, reinforcing the connection between the museum’s physical design and the country’s national story.
Sustainability and innovation have also been incorporated into the design. “At Zayed National Museum, sustainability and innovation are integral to the cultural narrative rather than separate considerations,” Al Qemzi said.
“The iconic towers, for example, draw inspiration from an important element of Emirati heritage while functioning as thermal chimneys that support natural ventilation.”
Dr Peter Magee, Director of Zayed National Museum, said the museum tells the story of a nation whose history stretches back more than 300,000 years, tracing human habitation, cultural exchange, trade and innovation across the land that is now the UAE.
“At the same time, it celebrates the vision and values of Sheikh Zayed and the remarkable journey of nation-building that continues today,” he said.
Magee also linked the WAF nomination to Abu Dhabi’s wider investment in culture as a driver of social, intellectual and economic development.
