Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi is emerging as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates, with ambitious plans that include world-class museums. Alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum are set to grace the island. These two impressive structures are both constructed by Six Construct, a subsidiary of BESIX Group.
The Zayed National Museum, developed by the Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Department, pays tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the nation's founding father. It will showcase his life, legacy, and the history of the United Arab Emirates through interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and historical artifacts. The museum, designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, merges contemporary design with traditional Emirati architecture, featuring narrow glass atriums inspired by falcon wingtips and galleries reflecting Sheikh Zayed's values in education, conservation, sustainability, and culture.
The construction of this extraordinary museum is a highly complex endeavour, and the project was taken over by Six Construct and local partner Trojan General Contracting in March 2021. The team's engineering and construction expertise, combined with diligent preparatory work, have enabled significant progress so far.
The project is composed of 3 parts:
- The Museum with 5 wings and 4 pods harbouring the galleries
- The Mound with the main atrium and no less than 2 km of walkways
- The Timeline Garden with 40,250 m² of landscaping with fountains and kiosks
