Zayed National Museum - Exhibition Lighting, UAE

Located within the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, the National Museum of the United Arab Emirates traces the nation’s history through the cultural, environmental, and political foundations of the modern UAE.

The exhibition lighting acts as both guide and storyteller, shaping the visitor’s experience while supporting conservation and architectural clarity with a high level of technical integration.

The museum’s six permanent galleries unfold across two distinct typologies: four suspended pod-like galleries above the central atrium, and two immersive spaces at ground level.

As the architecture shapes strong spatial identities, the exhibition lighting provides continuity, leading visitors seamlessly through the sequence while responding to the unique curatorial aims of each space.

To safeguard sensitive artefacts, the pod galleries rely on controlled lighting. Triple‑laminated glazing mitigates glare and solar gain at the façade, and programmable electrochromic glazing modulates its tint to sustain the target daylight levels.

Inside each pod, artificial lighting is fully integrated into the sculptural architecture, maintaining a sense of calm and visual purity. Concealed luminaires trace the curves of the envelope, while bespoke fittings embedded in glass display cases reveal objects with exceptional clarity. Precision optics, controlled beam spreads, and carefully tuned light levels allow artefacts to be revealed with clarity and intimacy, without visual distraction.

Each pod explores a distinct thematic chapter, with shifts in colour temperature, hue, and contrast supporting changes in historical and cultural context. Transitional nodal spaces, defined by a continuous ribbon of light, gently guide visitors between pods and maintain a cohesive sense of flow.

At ground level, two fully enclosed immersive galleries create a deliberate contrast. Our Beginning is dedicated to the life of Sheikh Zayed, immersing visitors in a dark, theatrical setting where light becomes the defining medium. High‑contrast lighting scenes and softly illuminated pathways guide visitors through a powerful collection of artefacts, using light as the primary tool for focus, rhythm, and emotional impact.

In the Through Our Nature gallery, the landscapes and ecosystems of the Emirates are explored through an immersive lighting scheme that supports a spatial journey across the country. Carefully programmed LED screens, dynamic lighting scenes, and controlled darkness work together to simulate movement, scale, and time, transporting visitors through the UAE’s diverse natural environments.

Throughout the museum, the lighting works in harmony with both the architecture and the curatorial vision. It acts as a narrative tool, revealing artefacts, shaping mood and form, guiding movement, and protecting the collection. This integrated approach lifts lighting beyond a technical requirement, making it an essential part of how visitors experience and remember the space, fully embedded within the architecture.