TDIC Chairman hosts Zayed National Museum architect Lord Foster

The Tourism Development and Investment Company's Chairman of the Board, Ali Majed Al Mansoori, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sufian Hasan Al Marzooqi, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority, along with senior representatives from TDIC, hosted Zayed National Museum architect, Lord Norman Foster, and senior representatives from Foster and Partners, for a special introductory meeting which took place recently at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Lord Foster provided attendees with an overview of the museum's design, including the distinctive structure of the museum, which is reminiscent of the wing tips of falcons, a powerful symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. The TDIC's Chairman gave an update on the on-going development taking place within the Saadiyat Cultural District, where the Zayed National Museum will be located alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Ali Majed Al Mansoori said, "We were pleased to meet Lord Foster and discuss the Zayed National Museum's unique design and museum's progress update. Once we officially announce the museum's contractor appointment, we will ensure the continuity of the high quality standards that are set for all three museums in Cultural District of Saadiyat.

The museum is a tribute to the late President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Its design is highly innovative and sustainable; it will be naturally ventilated during appropriate outside temperatures, and the ventilation period can be extended by using fresh air supplied through intakes using a mechanical system which then passes through a labyrinth below the building to pre-cool the fresh air and reduce the cooling loads.