National Geographic has listed Dubai Museum of the Future as one of the 14 most beautiful museums in the world for its astounding architecture and technological innovations.
The architectural marvel that sits at the bustling heart of Dubai, is set to become a new global landmark once complete.
Spanning an area of 30,000 square metres, the seven-storey pillarless structure stands at 77 metres high.
The stainless-steel façade, which extends over 17,000 square metres, is illuminated by 14,000 metres of Arabic calligraphy designed by the Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej.
The Museum is also linked by two bridges, the first extending to Jumeirah Emirates Towers, with a length of 69 meters, and the second linking it to the Emirates Towers metro station, with a length of 212 meters.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the selection of the Dubai Museum of the Future as a major world icon, even before its completion, captures the UAE’s leading status in innovation, design and architecture.
The Arabic calligraphy that adorns the museum's façade include quotes by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Among the quotes are: "We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone." and "The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it... The future does not wait... The future can be designed and built today."
The façade consists of 1,024 plates manufactured entirely by robots in a first-of-its-kind venture in the Middle East.
Each plate of the façade consists of four layers, and each layer has been created after following 16 process steps.
The installation period of the external facade lasted for more than 18 months, and each of the panels were installed separately.
A model for sustainability in creative design, the Dubai Museum of the Future is powered by 4,000 megawatts of solar energy produced by a station connected to the building, in collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Upon completion, the museum will be the first of its kind in the Middle East to obtain a Platinum Certification for Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED), the highest rating for green buildings in the world.
The park surrounding the museum contains 80 species of plants, equipped with a state-of-the-art intelligent and automatic irrigation system.
Contrary to the concept of conventional museums, the Dubai Museum of the Future is distinguished by being an incubator for innovative ideas, technology, and future projects.
Equipped with immersive technologies, big data, artificial intelligence and robotics, the Museum will showcase the future of mankind, cities, societies, life on Earth and even in outer space.