Zayed National Museum captivates visitors with falcon-inspired architecture and interactive exhibits
The Zayed National Museum on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island has opened to the public, offering visitors an immersive experience that blends traditional Emirati heritage with futuristic architecture, including five white towers inspired by a falcon in flight and the principles of ancient wind towers.
Architecture inspired by falcon and wind towers
The museum’s design by Foster + Partners features five aerodynamic towers rising 83 to 123 metres, capturing the image of a falcon poised for flight. The architects incorporated the concept of barjeel wind towers, traditionally used in the Gulf to catch cool breezes and direct them indoors. Norman Foster hand-sketched the initial conceptual designs. The museum opened on 3 December 2025, the day after UAE National Day, after approximately 15 years of construction.
Visitor impressions: calm, pride, and visual experience
Mohammed Ajmal, a Digital Marketing Manager visiting the museum, said he found himself wanting to pause and capture details from different perspectives because the building offers so many interesting compositions. “I found myself wanting to pause and capture the details from different perspectives, because the building offers so many interesting compositions,” he said.
For Ajmal, the architecture becomes an experience rather than something simply to look at, with thoughtful use of space, natural light, materials, and architectural details creating an immersive experience. The structure creates an interplay of light and shadow, which he said adds depth to the interiors and makes exploring the museum a visual experience. “As you move through the museum, the changing perspectives encourage you to slow down and appreciate your surroundings,” he added.
Advait Bal, an Abu Dhabi resident working as a solutions Consultant, said being inside the museum gives him a sense of calmness, admiration, and pride. “Being inside the museum gives me a sense of calmness, admiration, and pride,” he said. He described the mostly white, wide, open interiors with carefully designed lighting as creating a clean, futuristic atmosphere. “There is something powerful about being surrounded by a design that reflects the identity of the UAE,” he added.
Bal noted a contrast: the building looks like the future but tells a deeply human story about the UAE, its roots, its people, and its journey. “The museum tells a deeply human story about the UAE, its roots, its people, and its journey,” he said. “The architecture feels like a vision of the future while the exhibits connect you to the nation’s past and identity.”
Tribute to founding father with interactive technology
The museum is the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, a tribute to the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and to the ancient and modern identity of the country he united. Technology carries that story forward, with much of what visitors see being interactive, using holograms and advanced technology to bring exhibits to life. Heritage is not placed behind glass but something visitors can step into.
Memorable moments: dome and towers
Asked for one moment he would carry home, Advait described standing in the centre of a circular theatre and looking up at its beautifully shaped dome. “I felt almost abducted by a stronger force,” he said. “Feeling the beauty of modern architecture and cultural heritage inside you.” He summed up his feeling in one word: “Breathtaking.”
For Ajmal, the museum’s soaring towers left a powerful visual impression, their striking form against the sky creating a lasting memory.
