Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus is located in Zayed City, the new administrative and cultural district of the UAE capital. Occupying about 77 hectares, it is one of the flagship higher-education and research landmarks planned for the capital.
Architectural highlights
1. Symmetrical, gender-segregated layout
The master plan is strictly symmetrical. A central spine divides the site into a men’s campus on one side and a women’s campus on the other, meeting local cultural requirements while still linking both halves via a shared pedestrian axis.
2. Central quad as the campus heart
At the geometric centre a large open courtyard is ringed by the library, administration tower, conference centre, student hub and dining facilities, creating a vibrant, pedestrian-focused core.
3. **Desert- and “veil”-inspired forms
Building masses and façade lines echo rolling sand dunes and the fluid drape of a traditional veil, giving the architecture a distinctly regional identity expressed through gentle curves and flowing silhouettes.
4. 400-metre shaded “canopy” roof**
A continuous steel-and-aluminium roof, 400 m long, shelters the main academic cluster. Besides providing essential shade, this signature canopy unifies the ensemble and serves as the campus’s visual icon.
5. Large-scale, mixed-use program
With roughly 260,000 m² of built area across 29 buildings—including teaching wings, laboratories, an 18,000 m² library, sports halls and a 700-seat auditorium—the campus accommodates up to 10,000 students, making it one of the largest university sites in the Middle East.
6. Climate-responsive, sustainable design
Passive strategies—deep overhangs, shaded arcades, wind towers, high-performance insulation—combine with active systems to reduce energy demand and create comfortable outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces in Abu Dhabi’s extreme climate.