Wahat Al Karama with Artist Idris Khan

An artist-led project of international significance for the UAE.

Q&A

What is unique about the procurement of the Wahat Al Karama Memorial?

Wahat Al Karama, Abu Dhabi, demonstrates the collaborative capabilities of artist and architect in leading a team of professionals to create a monument and place of international significance, designed and delivered within a 12-month program. The project comprises a monument conceived by internationally recognised artist, Idris Khan and a pavilion of remembrance and reflection designed collaboratively between bureau^proberts and Idris Khan. The monument honours the heroes of the UAE and acts as a place of commemoration for their families, dignitaries and the public. The project is integrated within the 42,000m² Memorial Park (designed by AECOM) with the sculptural monument and pavilion defining the civic gravitas of the park.

How did computer modelling play a part in the design process?

Both the monument and memorial are on massive scales. Their design and construction involved complex design processes and required extensive consideration in terms of both function and artistic expression. The scale of the project and its individual parts were each drawn and modelled individually and scrutinised in a computer modelling environment. This enabled Idris Khan to explore and conceptualise ideas in 3-dimensions. This process was important as it facilitated an environment of prototyping and experimentation that supported the refinement of ideas and enabled the conceptual intentions of Wahat Al Karama to be realised.