A sinusoidal desert dune made of steel—Abu Dhabi’s most expressive gateway to the sea.
Featured in Zaha Hadid Architects's definitive monograph, ZHA: Redefining Architecture & Design.
Visitor Guide
Cross the bridge at night when the 'dynamic lighting' program moves through colors like a pulse along the arches.
From the Maqta Bridge or the Khor Al Maqta promenade to capture the arches in profile against the city.
A public highway bridge. Best experienced by driving across or walking the adjacent promenade.
The arches are not just decorative; they are hollow steel boxes that house the bridge’s maintenance systems and lighting controls.
30 minutes
Design & Structure
Developed using Rhinoceros and CATIA to coordinate the complex geometry of the asymmetrical arches.
High-strength steel arches; concrete piers; dynamic LED lighting system.
The sinusoidal arches are structurally unique as they are asymmetrical and vary in height, requiring complex load path analysis.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Sheikh Zayed Bridge — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
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Port of Hamburg
Vienna University of Economics and Business
St Antony's College, Oxford
Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art
Spittelau Viaducts Housing Project
BMW Central Building
Nearby in Abu Dhabi
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Sheikh Zayed Bridge?+
Sheikh Zayed Bridge was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and completed in 2010. It is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Where is Sheikh Zayed Bridge located?+
Sheikh Zayed Bridge is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Its coordinates are 24.4242°, 54.4858°.
When was Sheikh Zayed Bridge built?+
Sheikh Zayed Bridge was completed in 2010. It was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
Can I visit Sheikh Zayed Bridge?+
Sheikh Zayed Bridge is a real building in Abu Dhabi that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.