Louvre Abu Dhabi – Art and culture at the highest level
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab world and was opened on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi on 11 November 2017. The design is by French architect Jean Nouvel, who combined modern architecture with elements of traditional Arab construction. The result is a unique complex of 55 cubic buildings with flat roofs, interconnected by alleys, courtyards, and water basins—a modern interpretation of an Arab old town directly on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The cooperation with the Parisian Musée du Louvre underscores the high artistic and cultural-political standards of this project. With approximately 97,000 m² of space, including 6,400 m² for permanent exhibitions and 2,000 m² for special exhibitions, the Louvre Abu Dhabi provides a spectacular setting for art from various cultures and eras. The project is a milestone in international museum architecture.
An architectural highlight is the iconic 180-meter dome, composed of 7,850 delicately interwoven metal stars. Sunlight falls through its openings, creating a fascinating play of light on the structures below—inspired by the natural shade of an oasis. This effect symbolizes the cultural dialogue staged by the museum: between light and shadow, modernity and tradition, East and West.
Our products in use
Since 2015, the Gretsch-Unitas group has supplied more than 500 locks for the Louvre Abu Dhabi via the companies Simac and Momentum, including around 300 mortise locks of the EK series from BKS. The solution was complemented by 20 push bars and additional auxiliary locks. The products meet the highest requirements for functionality, security, and durability—ideal for a publicly accessible cultural building of this size.
The comprehensive range of BKS mortise locks offers visual consistency as well as various locking types for wooden, steel, aluminium, or plastic doors. Always the right solution for many different applications—from private interior doors to heavily frequented final doors in administrative or industrial buildings. BKS mortise locks are particularly durable and low-maintenance, which is advantageous for high usage frequency. And of course, they comply with DIN 18250 and DIN 18251.
The GU Group offers a comprehensive range of push bars and bar handles for single- and double-leaf fire protection, smoke protection, and project doors up to 300 kg. Even large door elements can be opened quickly and safely in an emergency with minimal effort—even by children, elderly people, or persons with disabilities. The door automatically relocks after passing through. In combination with BKS mortise locks, the products meet the requirements of EN 1125 and are tested for 1 million operations. Versions in stainless steel, aluminium, or plastic offer planning flexibility with consistently high quality.
Further references from the same industry
Experimenta Heilbronn
Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart
BLOX – Danish Architecture Center
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Wittelsbacher Castle Museum, Friedberg
Mensa Campus Garching
Geosciences of the University of Münster
Forum Velbert
Kunsthalle Rostock
Neubukow School Campus
