Natural History Museum
Location: Other Middle East
Height: Low-rise
Status: Under construction
Architect: Mecanoo
Developer: Miral
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Use: Museum
The Natural History Museum, currently under construction, is set to become a prominent feature of the rapidly evolving Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi.
The architectural composition of the museum features two distinct buildings separated by a central "wadi." The massing of these structures is characterized by a series of cascading, pentagonal volumes inspired by natural rock formations. These geometries are seamlessly integrated with extensive planters and vegetation, creating a dynamic interplay between the built and natural environment.
The façade system is primarily comprised of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) rainscreen cladding, with its feature vertical linear pattern, providing a robust and visually striking exterior. Additionally, the façade package incorporates brass-clad stick curtain walls engineered to meet stringent security requirements, as well as brass rainscreen panels and operable skylights. These skylights are carefully designed and coordinated to achieve specific daylighting patterns on the museum's interior floors, enhancing the spatial experience while meeting precise functional requirements, while allowing access for maintenance and cleaning from above. Koltay Facades has been instrumental in delivering the full façade and façade access design scope for the project.
Koltay Facades has been instrumental in delivering the full façade and façade access design scope for the project. The firm is currently providing construction supervision to ensure the execution adheres to the project's exacting standards and design intent.
Koltay Facades has been instrumental in delivering the full façade and façade access design scope for the project. The firm is currently providing construction supervision to ensure the execution adheres to the project's exacting standards and design intent.
