Today, we celebrate a proud moment for BESIX: the successful delivery of the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. Designed by Foster + Partners, this architectural masterpiece pays tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. The Zayed National Museum is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. It stands next to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing BESIX’s role in shaping the region’s cultural landscape.
A challenging takeover
This project was far from easy. In 2021, BESIX and Trojan General Contracting stepped in to resume work on a site left inactive after the previous contractor’s bankruptcy. Our teams applied innovative engineering, managed complex operations, and overcame structural challenges to bring the museum’s vision to life.
Engineering precision and innovation
Delivering the Zayed National Museum was an engineering achievement that combined creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Every component required tailored solutions and meticulous coordination. Here are the key technical highlights:
- The wings: The museum features five steel towers soaring up to 123 meters, inspired by the national bird, the falcon. Each wing acts as a solar thermal chimney, drawing cool air from the base and expelling hot air at the top - a modern interpretation of traditional Emirati wind towers called Barjeels. Constructed from lightweight steel for sculptural flexibility and cost-efficiency, the wings demanded high-precision welding and seamless integration of curved glass panels.
- The mound: To build the mound at the base of the museum, BESIX developed a hybrid solution with the manufacturer, replacing standard GFRC with GFRC topped by moulded white concrete. This created a “cast-in-situ” finish that met the architect’s aesthetic vision while ensuring durability.
- The pods: Four massive gallery pods, each weighing 600 tons, were installed using one of the world’s largest cranes with a 5,000-ton lifting capacity. These pods were delicately positioned into concrete ring beams beneath the future steel “cages” formed by the wings - a highly complex and risky operation.
- The Timeline Garden: A landscaped area of 40,250 m², featuring pathways and interpretive elements that narrate the UAE’s history, integrating cultural storytelling with architectural design.
- Use of BIM: Building Information Modelling was critical for managing the museum’s intricate geometry. It centralized data from architects, steel fabricators, and subcontractors, ensuring flawless alignment of the wings’ complex curves and structural interfaces.
“Structurally, the Zayed National Museum is one of the most complex projects BESIX has ever undertaken. We are essentially building ‘houses’ (the interiors of the pods) within ‘houses’ (the pods themselves), within ‘houses’ (the wings). Even with our experience on challenging projects, this methodology presented unique hurdles,” said BESIX Project Director David De Visscher.
Proud joint achievement
The successful delivery of the Zayed National Museum illustrates BESIX’s ability to tackle major engineering challenges: erecting five 123-meter steel wings acting as solar chimneys, building the white concrete mound, installing four 600-ton pods with millimetric precision, and leveraging advanced BIM for seamless coordination.
One more iconic landmark of technical excellence achieved!
Congratulations, BESIX Team
