Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future is located in the Emirates Towers area near Sheikh Zayed Road. The egg-shaped building is clad in stainless steel with illuminated glazed Arabic calligraphy.

Architecture practice Killa Design describe their innovative design for The Museum of the Future ...
‘The primary inspiration of the Museum of the Future was to create a form that represents the client’s vision of the future, where the physical building with its exhibition floors represents our understanding of the “future” as we know it today and for the next five to ten years. In contrast the ‘void’ represents what we do not yet know, and that the people who seek the unknown will continue to innovate and discover to help guide humanity towards a better future, whereby creating the continuum of replenishing the Museum of the Future.

‘Occupying a prime location adjacent to the Emirates Towers, the Museum of the Future is a landmark building comprised of three main parts: the green hill, the building and the void.

‘The green hill represents the earth, with solidity, permanence, and rootedness in place, time and history. This is done through the smooth transition from the site in the form of an earthen, vegetated mound with minimal visible built intervention. The inspiration for the green hill was also to elevate the building in a calm and unobtrusive way above the metro line and create greenery in elevation that is uncommon in Dubai where visitors can enjoy while engaging with the Museum.

‘Likewise, the glimmering, futuristic upper building represents mankind, with all of its strength, artistry and ability to create in harmony with its surroundings. This is formed by the bold shape which emerges from the hill, covered with the Arabic calligraphy about the future, and displaying mankind’s passion for the arts and creating.

‘Lastly, the elliptical void within the upper structure represents innovation. This is done primarily by creating an empty space showing the unwritten future into which humanity, and the world can symbolically look towards. This open and unburdened future is an inspiration which can drive the innovators and creators of today.

‘The Museum sets new innovative benchmarks. As a 17,000sq m torus-shaped building clad in stainless steel, achieving LEED Platinum status, and designed holistically through BIM at every design stage, the building represents the future through innovative design principles, implementation and construction.

‘The design is a low carbon civic building achieved through the use of many design innovations which include parametric design, passive solar architecture, low-energy and low-water engineering solutions, recovery strategies for both energy and water, and building integrated renewables.

‘The 78-metre-high building accommodates six exhibition floors and one administration floor above a three-storey podium and a food and beverage deck, with auditorium, retail, parking and services.’

The Museum of the Future is a ‘living museum’ that seeks to connect thinkers and experts from around the world and act as a test bed for future generations to create innovative solutions for the challenges facing society. This spectacular building ‘speaks’ Arabic, representing the revival of Arab excellence in the fields of science, mathematics and research, and an appreciation of past Arab intellectuals that aims to energise Arab civilization and renaissance.

Constructed using robotic technology and with an emphasis on sustainability the building is powered by 4,000 megawatts of solar energy.

The column-free structure provides its visitors a window through which to experience the future in all its aspects and dimensions.

Believing that the future does not have an age preference, the museum provides children with an experience that encourages their young minds to explore and learn several future-proofing skills through an open-world experience, in a way that helps them to innovate and allows them to create the future they look forward to.

As a new global scientific landmark and a beacon of knowledge, the Museum of the Future will become the headquarters of the ‘Great Arab Minds’ initiative, in search of a thousand great Arab minds.