Abu Dhabi has unveiled Dar Al Funoon (House of the Arts), a landmark performing arts venue designed by Gehry Partners, scheduled to open on Saadiyat Island in 2030. Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the project will expand the emirate’s cultural district with a home for opera, ballet, theatre, jazz, and live performance. Among the last major projects associated with Frank Gehry, the venue carries his signature sculptural vision into the world of performance.
Frank Gehry’s architecture is inspired by movement and performance
The building captures the energy of live performance in architectural form. Early renderings reveal a composition of flowing, fabric-like volumes that recall a theatre curtain lifted by the wind. Transparent façades will reveal rehearsals, backstage activity, and arrivals, creating a constant exchange between performers, audiences, and the city while keeping the venue animated throughout the day.
A performing arts complex designed for every stage
The complex will feature a 2,000-seat main theatre with an orchestra pit for 120 musicians, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre, and a 250-seat jazz venue. Restaurants, rehearsal studios, event spaces, retail areas, and a rooftop terrace will support year-round performances, residencies, workshops, and international collaborations.
Standing alongside Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Zayed National Museum, Dar Al Funoon further establishes Saadiyat Island as a global cultural destination—a place where architecture, music, and performance meet under one roof.
