Abrahamic Family House

Abrahamic Family House is a centre for learning and dialogue dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence, opened to the public this month in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).


Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, the trio of striking cubic buildings comprise a mosque, a church and a synagogue designed by Adjaye Associates. Working as a whole, each structure is simultaneously equal in volume and dimension but also shaped individually, its architecture inspired by elements inherent to its specific religious practices and traditions.

Designed to nurture mutual understanding, the project powerfully explores unity and introduces literal common ground through its architectural choices. A connective elevated garden between the houses of worship serves as a shared space for community knowledge exchange, while Maynard’s cohesive wayfinding strategy works across the 6,500 sqm site beneath a compelling visual identity.

The cultural project is a new brief for Maynard which required a sensitive approach to working with the three faiths and respectively observing their individual traditions. Deftly working with three languages (Arabic, English and Hebrew), the wayfinding system seeks to appreciate the rich diversity of the site, while a deeply materials-based approach becomes one with the site’s bespoke architecture.