Pixelated, white-concrete structures reminiscent of natural rock formations define this expansive museum by Dutch studio Mecanoo, situated within the cultural district of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

Covering a vast 35,000 square metres, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is designed to represent 13.8 billion years of natural history, with a particular focus on the United Arab Emirates.

The museum stands out for its angular white-concrete facade, which is interspersed with greenery. Mecanoo designed this exterior to evoke both rock formations and cellular structures, reflecting the scientific themes found inside the museum.

The geometric motif continues through the site’s landscaping, which features public walkways along the island’s waterfront and a central courtyard around which the building is organized.

“From the outset, we wanted the architecture to not only house the story of natural history but to actively tell it,” said Mecanoo partner Nuno Fontarra in an interview with Dezeen.

“This building is much more than a container,” he added. “It is a storyteller in its own right.”

Mecanoo explained that the museum’s generous scale was determined by its programmatic needs; for example, one gallery was designed specifically to accommodate the skeleton of a blue whale.

The main construction is concrete, while the exterior is clad in textured panels of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to provide durability in the harsh desert environment.

Visitors approach the museum via a walkway that weaves through the fragmented exterior before arriving at a dramatic