Museum of Future ready for present

ROSHIN GEORGE

Dubai’s bold and imaginative architectural marvel, the Museum of the Future, is nearing completion. The last piece in the iconic structure was fitted on October 3 in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Located in the Emirates Towers area near Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, the 30,000-square-metre and 77 metre-high iconic building has an egg shape with a hole in the middle that stands for “the unknown”. Its stainless steel facade with illuminated glazed Arabic calligraphy makes it a unique creation. Set to be the one of the most beautiful architectures in the world, it will have seven floors of exhibition space that will showcase innovative and futuristic concepts, services, and products for the future of cities. The Museum, built at a cost of Dirhams 500 million, aims to be a place of tolerance where varied cultural, philosophical, social and spiritual outlooks are welcome.

HH Sheikh Mohammed said that the Museum of the Future is “a global monument of urban excellence” and a quintessential Emirati contribution to delivering a brighter future.

“A universal architectural icon, the Museum of the Future combines between our authentic Arab culture and far-reaching ambitions. It is a global engineering icon, but speaks the Arabic language,” Sheikh Mohammed stated at the ceremony. With the attachment of the final piece to the museum’s facade, another milestone has been reached in completing the future landmark that will add to Dubai’s distinguished track record of architectural masterpieces.

The Museum of the Future, along with the Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai World Trade Centre, represents an innovation-driven area, he said.

“We are not after architectural wonders, but we rather seek to unleash human potential to create a better future that abounds in miracles and testifies to the remarkable achievements made by the UAE. Dubai will continue to deliver architectural masterpieces as the world continues to be in progress for those who know exactly what they want,” His Highness said. He noted that the museum has already gained global fame even before its opening thanks to its one-of-a-kind design.

Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage were shown around the landmark to see the progress of work while the team of the Dubai Future Foundation, the body in charge of the project, briefed him on the key design techniques, architectural styles and state-of-the-art solutions that went into accomplishing the cultural landmark.