Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visitor Centre, Abu Dhabi

The design of the visitor centre takes its cue from Islamic geometry, where intersecting circles define curved partitions and thematic spaces—an architectural rhythm that gently echoes the mosque above. At its core, the experience celebrates tolerance, a value central to Sheikh Zayed’s vision of Islam as a faith rooted in justice, compassion, and respect.

The general lighting design of the Visitor Centre draws inspiration from the Qur’anic verse "God is the Light of the heavens and the earth”, embracing light as a unifying force between the celestial and the earthly. A nuanced interplay of brightness, shadow, and subtle shifts in colour temperature and intensity guides visitors through moments of reflection, marking the exhibition’s narrative journey. Seamlessly integrated with architecture and media, the lighting creates an immersive and contemplative atmosphere, enhancing both the spatial experience and the story it tells.

At the heart of the fourth gallery of the centre stands a striking architectural model of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, inviting visitors to appreciate both its fascinating structure and the surrounding landscape. Suspended above, a bespoke chandelier—six metres in diameter and composed of nearly 600 individually controlled spherical pendants made of blown glass—forms a shimmering "dome of light.” Fully integrated with DMX technology, the installation responds dynamically to visitor interaction, shifting in colour, intensity, and movement to reflect the themes of the exhibition. This living lightscape not only enriches the experience of the mosque model but also pays tribute to the building’s iconic architectural illumination, transforming the space into a multimedia installation that evokes both wonder and contemplation.

Built entirely from scratch by Griven’s engineers and product development team, and crafted to meet Michael Grubb Studio’s demanding specifications, the 700 kg bespoke chandelier comprises 557 independently controlled RGBW pixels housed within blown-glass spheres, suspended at varying heights and arranged in a decorative "leaf” pattern as per the overall architectural approach to the exhibition. This dynamic, multimedia luminaire evokes unique atmospheres and emotions while enhancing the architectural model of the Grand Mosque, revealing its nocturnal appearance to visitors who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it. 

Credits:
Lighting Design: Michael Grubb Studio, UK (Michael Grubb, Rachael Flint, Anna Freiesieben, Daniela Randon)
Managing Contractor: Chargeurs Museum Studio, UK
Exhibition Design: Ralph Appelbaum Associates, UK
Product supply and installation: XYZ Cultural Technology FZ-LLC, UAE
Lead Consultant, Curator and Creative Direction: Barker Langham, UK
Photo courtesy: XYZ Cultural Technology FZ-LLC, UAE