The National Consultative Council
General Description
The National Consultative Council is situated in the historic Qasr Al Hosn, located in Abu Dhabi city. Originally constructed as the Majlis of Sheikh Zayed in 1968, it later became the house of the National Consultative Council in 1971 and the Federal National Council in 1972. The single-story structure is made of reinforced concrete, with white cement-gypsum render on the elevations and round towers on the northwest and northeast corners resembling the adjacent Fort. The building houses the main debating chamber, a Majlis, an office, and a toilet, along with a staircase leading to the gallery and additional facilities in a southward extension.
Criteria
01
Demonstrates a meaningful association with individuals, communities or events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the UAE’s development.
02
Embodies the distinctive aesthetic, physical, or architectural attributes characteristic of the political, social, and economic trends of a particular period.
03
Demonstrates an approach to and/or a lasting influence on urban planning or architectural, urban and/or landscape design that can be characterized as significant in the UAE or globally
04
Contributes to the community’s sense of identity and enrichment of the UAE’s diversity, or is recognized as a place of collective memory for the UAE.
Statement of Significance
The Council Chamber holds historical, political, and communal value as a socio-political forum since its construction in 1968. It has served as a place of dialogue, public participation, and governance in Abu Dhabi, hosting the legislative body of the government and playing a crucial role in the UAE's evolving political history. Located adjacent to Qasr Al Hosn, the chamber symbolizes the intimate relationship between the ruler and society, with its minimalist design echoing the austerity of the fort. The recent restoration of the chamber preserved its authenticity and significance as a testimony to UAE's political life evolution.