MiZa: MAKE + SEAF

Project Type
Cultural + CivicServices
Full Architectural Services, Interior Design, Sustainability ConsultingLocation
Mina Zayed, Al Mina - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The MiZa: MAKE and SEAF plan calls for utilizing existing warehouse structures and working with the existing urban grain and architecture to establish MIZA as Abu Dhabi’s Design, Art, and Technology District.
Once the heart of Abu Dhabi’s maritime trade, Mina Zayed thrived with bustling souks, shipyards, and fish markets. Though largely abandoned after newer ports emerged, the district is experiencing a thoughtful revival. Projects like MAKE + SEAF are breathing new life into its industrial bones—transforming warehouses into dynamic hubs for art, design, and entrepreneurship. Within this evolving landscape, a new-build honors the area’s warehouse vernacular through minimal forms and honest materials. A stucco base and corrugated metal upper echo neighboring structures, while a lifted pavilion—angled to catch prevailing winds and shifting sunlight—introduces a sculptural break. It shades a shared courtyard and frames views for artists and makers alike. Inside, SEAF nurtures emerging artists, while MAKE provides a collaborative Maker Space for hands-on innovation. Together, architecture and program bridge the site’s industrial legacy with a vision for a more connected, creative future—where community, culture, and commerce converge.



Climate Influenced Facade Design: The fin configuration was informed by solar and wind studies to optimize environmental performance. Angled to block harsh sunlight while allowing prevailing winds to pass through, the fins reduce heat gain and promote natural ventilation. This passive strategy enhances comfort while reinforcing the pavilions sculptural identity.







