BOLD Amsterdam has completed the lighting design for the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, a landmark cultural institution in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Spanning approximately 35,000 square metres and designed by Mecanoo architects, the museum explores the story of the universe and life on Earth, from cosmic origins to the future of the planet.
The lighting design by Pelle Herfst and Erik de Wildt is integral to both the architecture and the exhibition narrative. Carefully calibrated light enhances the museum’s monumental spatial volumes while providing precision illumination for world-class artefacts, including ancient meteorites, monumental dinosaur skeletons, and a full-scale blue whale. Each gallery features a bespoke lighting strategy, supporting transitions between geological eras, immersive environments, and interactive displays.
The design balances atmosphere, clarity, and conservation requirements, using light to guide visitors, emphasise scale, and create moments of focus and wonder. Subtle contrasts between darkness and illumination reinforce the storytelling, allowing architecture, artefacts, and scientific narratives to unfold seamlessly throughout the museum.
Project: Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
Location: Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Building Size: 35,000 m²
Client: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Architect: Mecanoo
Museum Masterplanning, Narrative Development & Interpretation: Barker Langham Dubai
Exhibition Design: Ralph Applebaum Associates NYC
Lighting Design: BOLD Amsterdam
