Louvre Abu Dhabi

In a metropolis of mounting skyscrapers dominated by dialogues of glass and steel, this low-slung, a seemingly weightless dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi ‘floats’ above a coastal, whitewashed ‘museum city.’ An extraordinary structure stretching 180 meters wide, this 8-layered dome is made from 7,850 geometric stars weighing as heavy as the Eiffel Tower. Conjoining these forms together at various angles and openings that allows an ethereal ‘rain of light,’ at the same time act as covering to the white, interconnected cuboids.

The complex, geometric structure of the dome took after the cupola, a prime element in Arabic architecture, as well as the cinematic view of light peeking through the gaps of a spread-out palm tree. Because it naturally funnels the sea breeze, the combination of shade and air currents reduce its ambient temperature by at least five degrees.

Inside, visitors are greeted with a series of white, contrasting buildings representing the medina and low-lying Arab settlements. Comprising of 55 buildings and 26 galleries, semi-outdoor spaces are used to exhibit specially-commissioned installations while temporary shows and permanent collections are housed within these white cubes. Apart from breathtaking galleries, it also houses a 270-seat auditorium, boutique, café, and a restaurant.

The combination of these elements transformed the Louvre Abu Dhabi into visual poetry that unifies traditional design and modern construction – which resulted in a building fabric that will persist throughout several generations.