Overseeing the development of a landmark cultural institution inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity and reflective of UAE’s longstanding values and peaceful coexistence.
Client story
The Abrahamic Family House
Industry
Cost Management
Time
Jan 2019 – March 2023
Spotlight
13,000sqm 4million manhours with zero Loss Time Incidents (LTI) 27,000 sqm of natural Omani limestone used 40,000sqm of bush hammered finished concrete 200 car parking bays 420 mature trees
About the project
Located within the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House is an interfaith complex that comprises a mosque (Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque), a church (His Holiness Francis Church) and a synagogue (Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue) as well as an educational centre for knowledge exchange and dialogue.
The 6,500 sqm cultural landmark, designed by award-winning architect, Sir David Adjaye, displays a clear visual harmony that respects the individualism of each of the three faiths – Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Each house of worship takes the form of a cube that is thirty metres deep, thirty metres wide and thirty meters tall.
Working alongside our client, JLL provided cost management services, successfully driving the project from inception to completion and occupation, delivering value at each phase. Our scope of work included design management, cost planning, procurement, change management and final account close-out.
Challenges and our solution
As the project was a first-of-its-kind in the Middle East, there was limited benchmarking information available for many of the specialist furniture, fixtures and equipment. Establishing project cost estimates for some of the more unique features and equipment that comply with religious specifications such as the Church’s timber battens, the Synagogue’s bronze mesh tent and the mikveh (a pool used for ritual immersion in Judaism traditionally used for cleansing and purification) and the overall bush-hammered concrete was a challenge.
Through our market intelligence, extensive network of specialist vendors, proactive cost management, as well as procurement and value engineering strategies, we were able to keep the project budget on track.
Results
The Abrahamic Family House was inaugurated by Lt. Gen. H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence on 16 February 2023. On 1 March 2023, the Abrahamic Family House opened its doors to visitors.
For more information, please visit: www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae
His Holiness Francis Church (photo credit: Dror Baldinger)
His Holiness Francis Church Interior (photo credit: Dror Baldinger)
Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque (photo credit: Dror Baldinger)
Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue (photo credit: Dror Baldinger)
Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue Interior (photo credit: Dror Baldinger)