• Two of the four concrete towers that will hold the museum's iconic dome. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Two of the four concrete towers that will hold the museum's iconic dome. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • This view shows the entire Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site with a backdrop of the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge and Reem Island. Silvia Razgova / The National
    This view shows the entire Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site with a backdrop of the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge and Reem Island. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Pumping concrete for the foundation of the two basement levels. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Pumping concrete for the foundation of the two basement levels. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • One of the tower cranes that move construction materials around the site. Silvia Razgova / The National
    One of the tower cranes that move construction materials around the site. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • To get her shots, Silvia Razgova used two cameras with fixed lenses. Silvia Razgova / The National
    To get her shots, Silvia Razgova used two cameras with fixed lenses. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The green material is waterproofing designed to keep the museum watertight for generations. Silvia Razgova / The National
    The green material is waterproofing designed to keep the museum watertight for generations. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • These are the early months of the museum's construction. By 2015 the Louve Abu Dhabi will be completed. Silvia Razgova / The National
    These are the early months of the museum's construction. By 2015 the Louve Abu Dhabi will be completed. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Once the foundations are finished, then work on the museum's galleries will commence. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Once the foundations are finished, then work on the museum's galleries will commence. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Another view of the test building, whose roof reflects the design of the museum's dome. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Another view of the test building, whose roof reflects the design of the museum's dome. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The view was so spectacular, that, as Razgova puts it: “Once in a while I’d put the camera down and simply marvel at the feeling of being a very lucky person who gets to ... fly in a helicopter with its doors off while sticking her face into the wind.” Silvia Razgova / The National
    The view was so spectacular, that, as Razgova puts it: “Once in a while I’d put the camera down and simply marvel at the feeling of being a very lucky person who gets to ... fly in a helicopter with its doors off while sticking her face into the wind.” Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The Arabian Gulf is kept at bay a temporary dam around the site. Once it is completed, the dam will be removed and the Louvre Abu Dhabi will appear to float above the water. Silvia Razgova / The National
    The Arabian Gulf is kept at bay a temporary dam around the site. Once it is completed, the dam will be removed and the Louvre Abu Dhabi will appear to float above the water. Silvia Razgova / The National

In pictures: A labour of Louvre seen from the air


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In this exclusive series of photographs, The National's Silvia Razgova was invited by Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) to fly over the site of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi to view the museum's current state of construction.