Delft, The Netherlands

European Prize for Architecture laureates Francine Houben and Dick van Gameren of Mecanoo Architecten complete the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to resonate with natural rock formations, reflecting the museum’s goal of improving understanding of and engagement with the natural world.

Every element of the design uses geometry as an overriding theme, with pentagonal shapes resembling cellular structures.

Also playing an important role in the design are water and vegetation, potent symbols of life in the desert.

The highlight of the new museum’s collection will be the world-famous “Stan,” a remarkable, mostly complete 11.7 meters-long Tyrannosaurus rex, which is one of the best-preserved and most studied fossils of this iconic predator from the Late Cretaceous Period. 

“Stan” will be joined by an extraordinary Murchison Meteorite specimen, which famously crash-landed in Australia more than 40 years ago and has since revealed to scientists new information about the early solar system.

Containing a huge range of organic “stardust” compounds as well as pre-solar grains which formed over 7 billion years ago — long before our current solar system existed — the meteorite provides ancient insight into the very building blocks of life. 

Conceived and developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of destinations and experiences, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will be a scientific research and teaching institution and an educational resource for learning about the evolving story of our planet, aiming to ignite a life-long passion for the natural world in visitors of all ages.

The museum will join the diverse cultural institutions and museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District, which include the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, as part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to position the emirate as a center for culture, arts, and creativity.

With a focus on immersive displays, curated collections with exceptional specimens, and innovative, interactive mediations, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi galleries will take visitors on a journey back to the very beginning of time, narrating the evolution of our universe, the Earth’s formation, and the history of life on our planet – as well as providing a glimpse into our possible future.

In addition to global natural history, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will for the first time present the history of life on Earth through an Arabian lens, where local natural assets of fauna, flora, and the geological history of the region will be part of the visitor journey.

Project: Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
Architects: Mecanoo Architecten
Lead Architects: Francine Houben and Dick van Gameren
Design Consultant: WME
Lead Content and Experience Consultant: Barker Langham
Marine Engineer: Arcadis
Design Managers: Plan A
Client: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with Miral
Photographers: RedVortex