Emirati Culture and Temporal Cycles at Zayed National Museum
Agata Kurzela Studio bridges Abu Dhabi's heritage with contemporary design language.
1Contemporary Interpretation of Heritage
Agata Kurzela Studio spearheaded the interior design of public, VIP, hospitality, and research spaces at Abu Dhabi's Zayed National Museum. Located in Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum stands as a key cultural institution of the UAE. Rather than conventional displays, the studio expresses Emirati identity through spatial, material, and artistic elements. Bespoke furniture, lighting, carpets, and architectural details connect with regional design practices, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity.
2Spatial Language of Time and Rituals
The interior concept revolves around cycles of time, rituals, and material memory. At Majlis Al Shaheen, the gahwa coffee ceremony tradition inspires textures referencing dates, coffee pots, and woven safeefah. First-floor meeting spaces radiate around a central courtyard, their sequence drawing from the Al Durour calendar - a traditional system dividing the year by ecological changes. Spatial density, color gradations, and surface textures create distinct atmospheres corresponding to seasonal transitions in this temporal narrative.
3Seasonal Chromatic Narratives
Majlis Al Hurr 1 embodies Al Sheta (winter) through muted greens, desert tones, and rain-associated embroideries. Majlis Al Hurr 2 responds to Al Qaith (intense summer) with a brighter palette. The main Boardroom features kandura-imprint wall panels directly referencing regional attire. Meanwhile, the luminous Al Liwan atrium maintains an open, monumental character beneath the building's grand architecture, serving as an orientation hub with integrated modular seating systems.
4Material Identity Through Craft
The Research Library's design takes cues from Bedouin tent construction, overlooking the Magan Boat's black woolen sail. It combines burnished bronze, solid timber, and semi-raw wool upholstery. Throughout the museum, materials like wool, rope, hand-thrown ceramics, camel leather, patinated metals, and local stone physically connect to regional craft traditions. Each material selection underwent rigorous testing with local artisans to balance technical requirements with authentic handcrafted qualities.
5Tactile Textiles and Artisanal Details
Custom carpets in Majlis Al Shaheen feature long tactile fringes evoking animal fur, with patterns derived from traditional carved wooden doors. These elements involved extensive material prototyping with regional workshops. Details were specially developed to meet museum-grade durability while preserving visible handcraft signatures. Kiln trials and full-scale mockups ensured traditional techniques could satisfy contemporary performance standards without losing their artisanal essence.
6Collaborative Design Ecosystem
While Agata Kurzela Studio designed key elements like library furniture and lighting fixtures, they curated contributions from Emirati designers. Zuleya handwove carpets with tassels developed alongside tarboush specialist Loretta Bilinskaite. The collection includes Abdalla Al Mulla's modular bead benches, Aljoud Lootah's Takya stone-embedded sofas, and Omar Al Gurg's reinterpreted seating. Lighting pieces by Roudha Al Shamsi, Alya Al Ghefeli, and Khalid Shafar incorporate regional design vocabulary into functional objects.
7Contemporary Craft in Cultural Context
The museum integrates artworks by Afra Al Dhaheri, Juma Al Haj, and Stephanie Neville alongside functional designs. This commissioned collection introduces contemporary regional authorship throughout the interiors, connecting historical narratives with current Emirati creative practices. Each contribution reflects the nation's evolving design identity while respecting traditional material intelligence. The synthesis demonstrates how cultural institutions can serve as platforms for living heritage rather than repositories of static artifacts.
8Design as Cultural Continuity
Zayed National Museum's interiors articulate Emirati cultural continuity through innovative spatial design. Contemporary interpretations of traditional materials offer visitors multi-sensory engagement with heritage. The project sets a benchmark for preserving local identity within global architectural discourse, transforming Abu Dhabi's cultural vision into a spatial manifesto. By embedding regional craft within museum-grade design solutions, it demonstrates heritage's relevance to future-facing institutions.