• Since then, the pace of construction has been astonishing.
    Since then, the pace of construction has been astonishing.
  • The satellites that feed Google Maps last swept over Saadiyat Island some time in early 2013 and still show only an outline in the desert.
    The satellites that feed Google Maps last swept over Saadiyat Island some time in early 2013 and still show only an outline in the desert.
  • Faster than even Google can manage, the Louvre Abu Dhabi moves towards its completion in 2015.
    Faster than even Google can manage, the Louvre Abu Dhabi moves towards its completion in 2015.
  • The official confirmation that the first gallery is complete came on March 16, 2014.
    The official confirmation that the first gallery is complete came on March 16, 2014.
  • The first weeks of construction were unspectacular but essential. A waterproof skin was installed on what would become the building’s lowest part.
    The first weeks of construction were unspectacular but essential. A waterproof skin was installed on what would become the building’s lowest part.
  • Several meters below sea-level, the site is currently protected by a temporary dam that will eventually be removed to allow the Arabian Gulf to wash against the museum’s exterior.
    Several meters below sea-level, the site is currently protected by a temporary dam that will eventually be removed to allow the Arabian Gulf to wash against the museum’s exterior.
  • Along with the waterproofing came the cranes, five of them by May and a sixth shortly after.
    Along with the waterproofing came the cranes, five of them by May and a sixth shortly after.
  • For a while they towered over the site unchallenged. Then, as the basement and ground floors were laid down, four concrete towers rose up.
    For a while they towered over the site unchallenged. Then, as the basement and ground floors were laid down, four concrete towers rose up.
  • Torrential rain in November slowed but did not halt progress on the museum.
    Torrential rain in November slowed but did not halt progress on the museum.
  • Less than three weeks later, an 87 metre crawler crane, specially assembled for the task, lifted the first section of the dome into place.
    Less than three weeks later, an 87 metre crawler crane, specially assembled for the task, lifted the first section of the dome into place.
  • Locating the first piece of the dome, a 43 tonne steel frame known as Super-Sized Element 63, was a challenge.
    Locating the first piece of the dome, a 43 tonne steel frame known as Super-Sized Element 63, was a challenge.
  • But since the start of 2014, another 15 pieces of the 85 required to complete the space frame have been installed.
    But since the start of 2014, another 15 pieces of the 85 required to complete the space frame have been installed.
  • The space frame alone has over 11,000 beams.
    The space frame alone has over 11,000 beams.
  • To complete the roof, many more thousand aluminium strips will be laid across the top and underside of the frame to create a criss-cross pattern that will fall on visitors in what the architect has called a “rain of light.”
    To complete the roof, many more thousand aluminium strips will be laid across the top and underside of the frame to create a criss-cross pattern that will fall on visitors in what the architect has called a “rain of light.”
  • The outer walls of most of the galleries are now almost complete.
    The outer walls of most of the galleries are now almost complete.
  • A forest of temporary towers that support the dome is also fast becoming visible.
    A forest of temporary towers that support the dome is also fast becoming visible.
  • When completed, a network of tunnels will serve all the museums on Saadiyat’s culture district — including the Guggenheim and the Zayed National Museum.
    When completed, a network of tunnels will serve all the museums on Saadiyat’s culture district — including the Guggenheim and the Zayed National Museum.
  • Construction, says Peter Armstrong, the project manager for Turner Construction, “is proceeding at an extremely fast pace”, yet the atmosphere on-site is one of calm and order, making it hard to appreciate how rapidly the structure is advancing.
    Construction, says Peter Armstrong, the project manager for Turner Construction, “is proceeding at an extremely fast pace”, yet the atmosphere on-site is one of calm and order, making it hard to appreciate how rapidly the structure is advancing.

Travel and Tourism

In pictures: Construction progress of the Louvre Abu Dhabi one year on

Julie Nicholson

March 17, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi started in March 2013, where the site was a little more than a depression filled with thousands of concrete stumps and steel rods. Twelve months later, the first gallery is complete and the shape of the dome is clearly taking form. The National takes a look at its progress. Pictures by Silvia Razgova taken on March 14, 2014.

CultureAbu DhabiTechnologyLouvre Abu Dhabi