Rabat – The Zayed National Museum has earned a spot among the finalists for the 2026 World Architecture Festival, one of the most watched events on the global architecture calendar, held in November from 18-20 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The museum was in the “Completed Buildings: Culture” category, alongside 18 other projects from around the world.
The category spans a range of building types, from museums and galleries to libraries, theaters, concert halls and cinemas.
As part of the event, shortlisted teams will present their work in person to a panel of famous architects and industry professionals during a live judging session, a format the festival is known for, distinguishing it from prizes decided solely on paper submissions.
To qualify for consideration, entries in the Culture category had to be completed between Jan 1 of last year and June 1, 2026.
A Museum built to tell a nation’s story
The Zayed National Museum is located on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island within the Saadiyat Cultural District, where it opened its doors to visitors in December 2025.
Its galleries trace the story of the UAE from the earliest evidence of human settlement through the civilizations and cultural milestones that shaped the nation’s identity over thousands of years.
The museum keeps its focus tied to the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.
The building itself was designed by the London-based firm, Foster + Partners, led by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster, whose portfolio includes some of the world’s most iconic buildings.
