In designing an equestrian library for Abu Dhabi's new school devoted to the time-honoured art of horse riding, David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem may have completed their most defining project yet. Hailing from Beirut, the AD100 designing duo were approached by Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA), to craft the complex's new reading and learning space, and its saddle workshop. “We were discovering a new world that we were not very familiar with since we both don’t ride. When we were discussing with the team of ADREA, we really got into it," Moussallem, sitting inside one of the cosy nooks of the library, told AD. “What drew us to the project was the challenge, I think. We always like a good challenge."
Based between Milan, Beirut, and San Francisco, the duo met as students at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts) nearly 20 years ago, a fateful encounter that led to establishing their own namesake, internationally-active practice, David/Nicolas, in 2011, which executes bespoke projects in architecture and furniture design. "We knew from the beginning that we were going to work together," Raffoul told AD. "In the beginning, we were trying to understand what our identity was, what we wanted to represent, and what we wanted to say when we design."
What attracted Raffoul and Moussallem to ADREA was how it resonated with their own ethos as designers. "We have a red line that connects all of our projects," explained Raffoul. "We always work by being inspired by the past, but also not forgetting about today and references of the future." Welcoming in Abu Dhabi's sunlight, the school's warm and spacious equestrian library (which also features a coffee shop and a children's book section) is indeed a blend of heritage and modernity. The 500-square-metre space is meant to be navigated calmly like a promenade, where visitors can wander around and browse a wide selection of books, both old and new, on horses, as well as regional art and history.
Some of the metal bookcases are shaped like a wave, giving a contemporary feel. Meanwhile, other large bookshelves were crafted with the use of French oak and mahogany wood. "We created a space where you would ideally get lost somewhere, find yourself through a book, and maybe see someone you know," said Moussallem. "It's a place for like-minded people to meet, especially if you’re in that niche of the world of horses. It can create connections and community. There are also little nooks within the space – small, intimate rooms where you can study, work, and read. The whole project was about rediscovering the world of books for us."
One of the key questions the designers were considering for this project, which took less than two years to make and came with a set of technical and aesthetic challenges, was the place and role of the library in a day and age where digital reading has reigned supreme. ADREA's library is therefore a project about going back to basics, a quiet celebration of physical books and all the human senses it elicits, from touch to smell. “Everything has become more digital, but we are convinced that there are a lot of people who want touch to stay. Coming to a library is actually inspiring," said Raffoul.
A pattern of oblique and straight lines is carved out of the wooden block, creating "rhythm, punctuality and precision," said Raffoul, like the movement of a gallant horse. Little spheres are also dotted onto the surface, emulating details of handmade leatherwork. The attention to aesthetic detail is also seen in the nearby saddle atelier, a classroom-like area equipped with a variety of tools and leathers, where a headmaster teaches the new generation of equestrian enthusiasts the delicate art of saddle-making.
Raffoul and Moussallem’s project at ADREA creates an accessible and thoughtful space that pays tribute to the importance of reading, honouring craft and tradition, and highlighting equestrian culture, which has long been present in Abu Dhabi and UAE’s heritage. But most importantly, the pair hope that they have crafted a memorable experience.
“We want people to rediscover what it means to work with crafts – the real meaning of craftsmanship. All these woods are hours and hours of hand sculpting. There's a lot of input and energy that people put into this space. We just hope that people are conscious of that,” said Moussallem. To that, Raffoul added, "We want them to remember the place. We want them to say: "I want to come back. I saw something new.”” @davidandnicolas, @adrea.ae
