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Nominate

Year Built

1982

Emirate

Abu Dhabi

General Description

The Cultural Foundation building is located on two axial roads, Airport Road (Sh. Rashid Bin Saeed St) and Electra Street (Zayed the First St), in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD), adjacent to the historic site of Qasr Al Hosn. Designed by TAC (The Architect Collaborative) led by the Iraqi architect Hisham Ashkouri and completed in 1982. The three story building includes a library, an indoor auditorium, exhibition hall, an outdoor auditorium and meeting rooms. Precast fair faced concrete is the dominant cladding material alongside colorful tiles featuring geometrical motifs.

A conservation management plan was developed in 2015 to inform the rehabilitation of the site implemented by the Department of Culture & Tourism between 2016- 2019. Some enhancements were introduced such as a new staircase emphasizing the diagonal axis towards Qasr Al Hosn, the activation of the rooftop as an additional usable space, and the repurposing of several areas to create additional workshop and exhibition spaces.

Criteria

01

Demonstrates a meaningful association with individuals, communities or events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the UAE’s development.

02

Embodies the distinctive aesthetic, physical, or architectural attributes characteristic of the political, social, and economic trends of a particular period.

03

Demonstrates an approach to and/or a lasting influence on urban planning or architectural, urban and/or landscape design that can be characterized as significant in the UAE or globally

04

Demonstrates skill and expertise in resolving the relationships between mass, interior and exterior spaces, materials and detailing that is characteristic or an interpretation of Modern and post-Modern movements, or other recognized design movements.

05

Demonstrates the use of innovative technology to solve challenges for its time.

06

Contributes to the community’s sense of identity and enrichment of the UAE’s diversity, or is recognized as a place of collective memory for the UAE.

Statement of Significance

The Cultural Foundation, designed by The Architects Collaborative (TAC) and commissioned by Sheikh Zayed, served as a National Library, performance auditorium, and exhibition center. Its design seamlessly merged Modern and Islamic aesthetics, paying homage to local architecture while embracing contemporary elements. The foundation became a hub for cultural exchange, nurturing intellectual growth and serving as a symbol of Abu Dhabi's heritage. As the first registered modern heritage site to be rehabilitated, it stands as a testament to Sheikh Zayed's vision and remains an integral part of the UAE's cultural planning efforts.

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