Natural History Museum (NHM)

Situated in Saadiyat, the museum stands as a beacon of scientific exploration and education. With a focus on rare natural history specimens, including iconic displays like the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton 'Stan' and the Murchison Meteorite, the NHM Abu Dhabi aims to ignite a lifelong passion for the natural world. As part of its compelling curatorial vision, the museum promises a journey through time and space, narrating the evolution of our universe, Earth's formation, and the history of life on our planet.

In the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, I had the privilege of contributing to the NHM project, specifically crafting a digital twin version of the entire space, including all exhibits, in Unreal Engine; a complete virtual replica of the space. This included working on over 110 exhibits, integrating numerous projection surfaces and touchscreen interactions, and ensuring the experience was both visually compelling and technically optimized.

Working end-to-end inside Unreal Engine, I handled performance optimization, advanced blueprint scripting with level selection interface, asset integration, UV mapping, lighting, texturing, shading, and packaging the build for both internal teams and the project partners. It was a challenging and deeply rewarding experience to bring such a significant cultural and scientific project into an interactive digital format. 

My comprehensive contributions encompass a spectrum of tasks, reflecting a dedication to ensuring the project's success through meticulous attention to detail and expertise in diverse technical aspects.

Beyond its educational mission, the NHM Abu Dhabi will house an innovative scientific research facility, delving into areas such as zoology, palaeontology, geology, marine biology, molecular research, entomology, and earth sciences. As lead architects Mecanoo shape this marvel to resonate with natural rock formations, my role in crafting a digital twin version contributes to the project's immersive displays and exceptional specimens, offering visitors an inspirational journey back to the very beginning of time.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the NHM Abu Dhabi stands as a testament to the commitment of natural history museums worldwide to public education, scientific research, and the advancement of knowledge. I am proud to have played a role in this ambitious project, creating a virtual counterpart that mirrors the grandeur and educational essence of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

If you would like to learn more about this project, please click HERE!

It’s inspiring to see the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi receive such distinguished attention as H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, toured the site and explored its vision for education, sustainability, and humanity’s connection with the natural world.

Creating the digital twin was my small contribution to a global effort toward education, scientific discovery, and immersive storytelling. I’m honoured to be part of a project that celebrates our planet’s past while inspiring future generations.

If you are interested to learn more, please click HERE!