A spaceship-like flying object marked the opening of Dubai’s Museum of the Future. The seven-storeyed hollow silver ellipse structure is decorated with Arabic calligraphy quotes by the country’s ruler and dubbed the most beautiful building on earth. Here’s what you can expect to see on a visit. By Eshita Srinivas
Dubai draws tourists every year with its futuristic architecture and jaw-dropping attractions. Staying true to this reputation, the city launched a stunning museum on Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum inaugurated the structure, and his vision of the future has been credited as the driving force behind its construction. The event was marked by flying spaceships and glittering light projections spanning thousands of metres. And as crowds gathered to witness the spectacle, billboards around the region declared it the most beautiful building on earth.
Construction of the Museum of the Future in Dubai took nine years
Today we launched a new global landmark in science, innovation and futuristic thinking.
The Museum of the Future is the Most Beautiful Building on Earth.
It is an incubator to see our future through young eyes, a centre for the world to come together and design our road ahead. pic.twitter.com/aXRlj1on9n
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 22, 2022
The seven-storeyed pillarless museum stands at a height of 77 metres and is spread over an area of 30,000 square metres. The pillarless torus-shaped structure sits atop a green mound that’s been planted with endemic trees to represent the earth. A statue with a three-finger salute, popularised by the region’s ruler, stands for win, love, and victory.
As you walk into the building, you’ll be greeted with seven floors dedicated to different subjects, including the future of space travel and living, education, climate change, ecology, health, wellness, and spirituality. There’s also a dedicated floor for children, believed to be the leaders of tomorrow, to engage in tasks and explore. The hollow space in the middle of the calligraphy-wrapped structure is said to signify the unwritten future that humanity can look towards as a whole, according to a report by Gulf News.
Dubai is a century ahead of time. Welcome to the Museum of the Future. pic.twitter.com/GbLcrjTD82
— Imam of Peace 🕊 (@Imamofpeace) February 19, 2022
Construction took nine years, and the museum is an important addition to the city’s architectural repertoire. Reflecting on this, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “The Museum of the Future will be an intellectual laboratory for cities of the future and governments of the future… it will play a key role in strengthening Dubai’s future position. The Museum will provide a clear roadmap for Dubai’s vital sectors.” He further added that the museum would embody the active human imagination and stand as a forum for scientists and thinkers from around the world, Khaleej Times reports.
The museum will take visitors on a journey to the year 2071
Get ready to step inside the most beautiful building on earth, and find yourself transported to the world of tomorrow.
Filled with inspiring visions of what may come, Dubai’s Museum of the Future opens its doors to the public on 22 February.
Photo by Ahmad Alnaji@MOTF pic.twitter.com/AmwZhbjIDb
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) February 19, 2022
Although exact details around the museum’s contents are yet to be revealed, NDTV reports that it will exhibit innovations in technology and design, taking visitors on a journey to the year 2071. Visitors can sign up for a two-hour journey at a price of DH 145 per ticket. Experiences include a look at outer space, multi-sensory displays using the latest virtual and augmented reality technology, and human-machine interactions, amongst others, Khaleej Times reports. The interactive museum will also host seminars and discussions with scientists, innovators, and thinkers while acting as a testbed for future technologies.
#متحف_المستقبل يعزز ريادة الإمارات العالمية في صناعة المستقبل.#MuseumOfTheFuture reflects the UAE’s contribution towards shaping the future globally.#MOTF #أجمل_مبنى_على_وجه_الأرض pic.twitter.com/GHQx2INgNr
— Museum Of The Future (@MOTF) February 22, 2022
This is the latest addition to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) collection of futuristic architecture and comes in on the heels of the futuristic Dubai expo fair as well as the opening of France’s Louvre museum in 2017, Hindustan Times reports.
Feature and hero image: Ahmad Alnaji, @emirates/Twitter
