One of the leading cultural destinations in the UAE, Saadiyat Island is well on track to soon add another plume to its cultural cap.
Apart from Louvre Abu Dhabi and Abrahamic Family House, the island is also gearing up for the opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
But the most highly-anticipated opening seems to be that of Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE.
Here’s what we know so far.
Zayed National Museum: What we know so far
Who designed Zayed National Museum?
Designed to resemble the wings of a falcon (one of the UAE’s national symbols), the museum’s concept was created by UK architects Foster and Partners and features a cluster of atriums, the biggest of which will be 123 metres high.
The glass atriums will function as solar thermal towers and be set on a mound, inspired by the country’s topography, which will house the various pod-shaped galleries, shops, and cafés.
All in all, six permanent gallery spaces are planned for the museum.
There will also be a landscaped garden for visitors to enjoy.
What can visitors expect?
Once opened Zayed National Museum’s collection will tell the story of the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and explore the history of the UAE dating back thousands of years. As well as the more recent social and economic transformation of the Emirates.
When is the museum set to open?
An exact opening date is yet to be confirmed but construction is already well underway on the project.
Previously, a video released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (TCA) on social media showed the progress being made at the site as the ambitious structure takes shape (you might have seen the framework for the enormous wings already driving past the area).
Opening date to be confirmed. Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, abudhabiculture.ae.
