The UAE's architectural landmarks have welcomed the Museum of the Future ahead of its grand opening on Tuesday.
Last week, the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, was lit up with a special show featuring Arabic calligraphy reflecting the Museum of the Future's exterior, designed by acclaimed Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej.
"Welcoming the most beautiful building on Earth," a message read in Arabic and English.
On Thursday, Expo 2020 Dubai's centrepiece, Al Wasl Dome, also showcased a special projection to mark the coming opening. The 360-degree projection dome is the largest in the world, and has formed the backdrop for many high-profile performances since the fair opened last year.
The message on the dome had a similar message as that on the Burj Khalifa.
On Saturday, the 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE capital, also displayed the same message as well as the date 22-02-22. The 342-metre tower, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, stands out for its design and commitment to sustainable engineering technologies, as well as how its sleek architecture transformed the emirate's skyline.
Then on Sunday, the entire structure of Qasr Al Watan at Abu Dhabi's presidential palace compound was also lit up. The sprawling Palace of the Nation offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history, traditions and journey of the UAE, through a vast collection of cultural artefacts, art and rare manuscripts.
On Monday night, it was the turn of Burj Al Arab, which was earlier this year named one of the most beautiful five-star hotels in the world. The Dubai landmark, which was inaugurated in 1999, continues to be one of the best well-known symbols of the city, something the Museum of the Future is soon set to become.
Award-winning design
Last year, Museum of the Future was named one of the 14 most beautiful museums on the planet in a list compiled by National Geographic magazine. The striking landmark in Downtown Dubai was lauded for its dazzling design and cutting-edge technological innovation.
The museum also won the Tikla International Building Award last year as a unique architectural model. Engineering software company Autodesk described it as one of the most innovative buildings in the world.
Shaun Killa, partner at Killa Design and the architect who designed the museum, says its shape represents "Dubai's perpetual energy and a vision of the future."
Spanning an area of 30,000 square metres, the seven-storey pillarless structure stands 77 metres tall. The stainless steel facade, which extends to more than 17,000 square metres, is illuminated by 14,000 metres of Arabic calligraphy designed by Bin Lahej, based on the poetry of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, about his vision for the city's future.
Translated into English, it says: “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create.”
What's inside the Museum of the Future?
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Dubai's Museum of the Future will embody the forward-thinking spirit of the UAE's founding fathers, a senior Emirati minister said. Photo: UAE Government Media Office -
The museum opened its doors to the public on February 22. Photo: UAE Government Media Office -
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that it would be much more than a museum, serving as a 'research lab' for the future. Photo: UAE Government Media Office -
The museum will feature a dedicated space for children, helping to harness their love of learning. Photo: UAE Government Media Office -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, hailed it as the "most beautiful building on Earth". Photo: UAE Government Media Office -
Workers are dwarfed by the Museum of the Future in this November 2019 picture. The intricate design is inspired by Arabic script. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The striking structure was years in the making. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The opening date was pushed back several times and a 2020 opening date came and went as the pandemic hit. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
This 2018 image shows the unique design taking shape. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A cyclist poses for a photograph in front of the museum in November. AP Photo / Jon Gambrell -
The unique facade was voted among the most striking in the world in a recent poll. AP Photo -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visit the museum in September. Wam -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid tries out some of the museum's technological features. Wam
While it is not clear what specific artworks will be inside, the museum will use advanced technology to represent art. Each floor will resemble a futuristic film set, which visitors can explore and interact with.
Three floors of the museum will focus on possible scenarios for outer space resource development, ecosystems and bioengineering, health, wellness and spirituality. Another floor will display near-future technology that address challenges in areas such as health, water, food, transportation and energy.
There is also a dedicated children’s floor, where they can explore and solve challenges “on their way to becoming future heroes”.
Sheikh Mohammed hailed it as the "most beautiful building on earth" when revealing the opening date of Tuesday on Twitter.
Entry to Dubai's Museum of the Future will cost Dh145, with complimentary tickets for children under the age of 3, people of determination and Emiratis aged 60 and older. An annual membership scheme will also be announced soon.
Museum of the Future will be open daily between 10am and 6pm; tickets are available at motf.ae
— This article was first published on February 17, 2022
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, watches the installation of the final piece of the facade of the Museum of the Future, in downtown Dubai. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attends a ceremony to mark the completion of the facade of the Museum of the Future, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attends the installation of the final piece of facade of the Museum of the Future, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The Museum of the Future was named one of the 14 most beautiful museums on the planet by 'National Geographic' magazine. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, as Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, looks on. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, views the facade of the Museum of the Future. The facade consists of 1,024 plates manufactured entirely by robots, a first-of-its-kind venture in the Middle East. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the installation of the final piece of facade of the Museum of the Future. The stainless steel facade extends over 17,000 square metres. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the installation of the final piece of facade of the Museum of the Future. The facade is illuminated by 14,000 metres of Arabic calligraphy, designed by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stands in front of the spectacular facade of the Museum of the Future. Design and engineering software company Autodesk described the museum as one of the most innovative buildings in the world. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stands in front of the Museum of the Future, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. -
The ceremony for the installation of the final piece of the facade of the Museum of the Future. The seven-storey pillarless structure stands 77 metres tall. -
The Museum of the Future will be home to a research centre with labs and classrooms, as well as showcasing exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attraction. Organisers say it will invite visitors to 'look beyond the present to the possible'. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the installation of the final piece of facade at the Museum of the Future. He was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
