Bassam Freiha Art Foundation: A Landmark of Cultural and Architectural Excellence made by fibre cement facades cladding.

 

 

...............The iconic architectural structure Bassam Freiha Art Foundation represents the perfect blend of excellence and elegance. It stands as the sole private art foundation on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Founded by esteemed philanthropist and collector Mr. Bassam Said Freiha in March 2024, the foundation showcases a diverse collection of global art treasures, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore, learn, and engage with various art forms. Its mission is to highlight the depth of Arab culture and heritage, inspire future generations, and support emerging artists. The main gallery features an impressive collection of Orientalist paintings by renowned 19th-century artists such as Rudolf Ernst, Léon Comerre, and Paul Leroy—works amassed by Bassam Said Freiha over five decades.

The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, a landmark of culture and architecture, was honored with the Cultural Project of the Year award at the Design Middle East Awards 2024.

A Testament To Collaboration And Execellence

The successful realization of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation exemplifies the power of collaboration between ADD Consultants, EQUITONE and Obras International resulted in a cultural landmark that not only serves as a repository of art but also as an architectural masterpiece. This project stands as a testament to the region's dedication to fostering cultural enrichment through thoughtful and innovative design. 

Celebrating Excellence: Design Middle East Awards 2024

The Design Middle East Awards is an annual event that honours the year's top architects, designers, projects, and firms across the region. In its 2024 edition, the awards received an overwhelming response, with over 160 firms submitting nominations and hundreds of entries, reflecting the vibrant and creative design industry of the Middle East. The recognition of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation as the Cultural Project of the Year underscores its architectural and cultural significance.

Crafting Iconic Facades with Obras International 

We are proud to contribute this marvellous project in collaboration with support with our esteemed partners. At Obras, we specialize in ventilated façade systems, including wood and fibre cement cladding. The expertise lies in delivering cladding solutions that seamlessly blend style and performance, catering to contemporary architectural visions. OBRAS offers a wide range of cladding solutions that enhance the aesthetics and durability of modern façades. For this project, Obras International utilized large-format fibre cement panels from the Equitone [tectiva] range in the TE10 colour. These cladding panels are renowned for their durability, lightweight properties, CNC perforation capabilities, maintenance-free nature, resistance to water and humidity, and Class A fire rating, making them an ideal choice for modern façades design, EQUITONE is a premium, through-coloured façade material, crafted by architects for architects, offering unparalleled design flexibility and durability.

 

Architectural Visionaries: ADD Consultants

The architectural prowess behind the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation credited to ADD Consultants, a firm established in 1981 with a reputation for international quality design and engineering. Their comprehensive understanding of local design and construction practices, combined with their innovative approach, played a crucial role in bringing the vision of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation to fruition. Their collaboration with Obras International ensured that the foundation's façade not only met aesthetic aspirations but also adhered to functional and environmental standards.

Transforming Architectural Dreams with Fibre Cement Solutions: Equitone

Architectural facades design Equitone Facades material is a high-end through-coloured façade material designed by and for architects. EQUITONE [tectiva] is a through-coloured façade material, characterised by a sanded surface. Every panel is unique, strongly expressing the raw texture of the core fibre cement material. Each EQUITONE panel showcases a distinctive texture, celebrating the natural beauty of fibre cement. This material choice reflects a commitment to authenticity and natural aesthetics, aligning with the foundation's artistic ethos. Equitone is a customizable facades panel  with low-maintenance cladding, weather-resistant facades panels, high-density fibre cement,  fire-resistant facades panels, ventilated facades systems .


Looking Ahead: Inspiring Future Endeavours

The recognition of Bassam Freiha Art Foundation at the Design Middle East Awards 2024 sets a benchmark for future cultural and architectural projects, inspiring excellence and innovation in the region. It inspires industry stakeholders to pursue excellence and innovation, ensuring that the Middle East continues to be a hub for ground breaking architectural achievements. As firms like Obras International and ADD Consultants continue to push the boundaries of design and construction, the region can anticipate a future rich with iconic structures that blend cultural significance with architectural brilliance.

In conclusion, the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation's accolade as the Cultural Project of the Year is a celebration of artistic vision, architectural innovation, and collaborative excellence. It highlights the importance of integrating aesthetic appeal with functional design, setting a precedent for future projects in the Middle East and beyond.

" With 20 years of legacy in the ventillated facades, we are committed to bring excellence and iconic architectural vision into life through aesthetic, quality and excellent services" - George Abboud, Founder & Managing Director of the Obras International

For More Information Contact Us : emirates@obrasintl.com