ehrlich architects: UAE parliament building complex

‘new parliament building complex’ by ehrlich architects in abu dhabi, united arab emirates all images courtesy ehrlich architects rendering by biolinia

california-based practice ehrlich architects has won first prize in the international design competition for the federal national council’s ‘new parliament building complex’ in abu dhabi, united arab emirates. the entry beat out a number of internationally recognized firms including foster + partners, massimiliano fuksas architects, and zaha hadid architects.

approach rendering by biolinia

the winning design aims to stand as an architectural embodiment of the united arab emirates’ identity: a modern society moving into the future while retaining a strong connection to its history and traditions. consisting of a porous dome structure measuring 100 meters in diameter, the central assembly hall is cast with shadows of islamic patterns, filtering dappled light onto the white marble surface. the majority of the offices, meeting halls, and a visitors’ center is housed in parliamentary buildings that circumscribe the dome. finished in colours and textures of the desert sand, the exterior expression of these structures are a combination of arabic design elements and contemporary forms equipped with the latest in technological advances.

view of the president’s terrace rendering by biolinia

interior view of the lighting effect rendering by biolinia

the complex at night rendering by biolinia

project info:

client: federal national council, united arab emirates design team: steven ehrlich, patricia rhee, noah marble, guelsah kuecuek, laura hudson, jackie park, won jin park, yimon lim, zhong huang, jules hartzell, ann-christine pineiro (graphic design) local architect: godwin austen johnson GAJ design team: jason burnside, brain johnson, isabel pintado, branka saric, christina morgan, tzumei steward, cormac lynch, iain stewart, angelita alves, andrew barley, alberto bolonos, simon chambers, pallavi dean, bharani dharan, graeme fisher, ian jorolan, hallam lowmass, mehrnaz mohamadloo, shounak patne, jacinda raniolo, vic raymond tanedo, vinodh vellapan, jason ward landscape architect: valleycrest design group, michael braden structural engineer: gifford MEP engineer: scott wilson group quantity survey: baker wilkins & smith renderings: biolinia model: the model shop