Dabbagh Architects' Al Ain Museum Blends Ancient and Modern in Limestone

Dubai-based Dabbagh Architects completed the Al Ain Museum complex in Al Ain, UAE, in 2025, commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. The 8,000 sq m project integrates a new museum building with the historic Sultan Fort and the 1971 Al Ain Museum. Clad in sand-textured chiselled limestone with filleted corners, the new structure echoes the mud-brick fort and the geometric white facade of the old museum. The design was reshaped after the 2019 accidental discovery of archaeological remains—including wells, tombs, and Aflaj water channels—during construction. The resulting archaeological park on the lower ground floor displays these in-situ relics. The upper level offers panoramic views and connects to the old museum's permanent galleries, originally curated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The complex spans 8,000 years of history, from the Palaeolithic Age to the UAE's 1971 formation. Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, lies adjacent. The project team includes Buro Happold (engineering), WAHO Landscape Architects, SeARCCH (conservation), Nulty (lighting), and Matthews Southwest (cost consultants).