Lauded as an architectural marvel even before its grand opening on 22
February 2022, the calligraphy-inscribed Museum of the Future is a
striking emblem of Dubai's grandiose ambitions to showcase what the
future holds.
Calling it the “most beautiful building on earth”, Dubai ruler Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum initiated this project with the goal of
promoting innovation and technological development from robotics and
artificial intelligence. The building’s design that was built by an
algorithm accurately reflects this vision.
An iconic building infused with meaning
Located on Sheikh Zayed road, the Museum of the Future’s 77m,
torus-shaped framework was constructed in November 2018, with the
calligraphy-inscribed panels, manufactured entirely by robots, now being
fitted into place.
The shape was conceived by local architectural firm Killa Design.
According to the architect, the tangible part of the structure
represents the knowledge humanity holds today, while the void represents
the unknown that is to come, in order words, the future.
The museum is slated to house seven storeys of exhibition space, three podium levels including a 420-seat auditorium, restaurant, cafe and lobby. Photo Credit: Killa Design
The Arabic calligraphy emblazoned across each panel of the façade are
phrases of poetry written by Sheikh Mohammed. In addition to serving as
a striking architectural design, the cursive scripts also double up as
the windows of the museum. In the day, natural light is allowed to
filter in, and at night, the words will light up.
What does the future (and the museum) hold?
Unlike a traditional museum that sheds light on past events and
showcases historical artefacts, the Museum of the Future will send
visitors on a trip transcending time and space into a multitude of
different possible futures waiting to unfold.
According to the museum’s website, each of its seven floors can be
likened to a “film set from a future that you can inhabit, explore and
interact with”.
Visitors can look forward to three floors of immersive exhibitions
that will delve into the possible futures of outer space resource
development, ecosystems and bioengineering, and health, wellness and
spirituality.
Future Heroes is a space for exploration and play that allows children to develop real-world application skills. Photo Credit: Museum of the Future
Another exhibition, ‘Tomorrow Today’, is dedicated towards
technologies that may come into existence in the near future that can
combat current global issues surrounding health, water, food,
transportation and energy. This exhibition showcases ever-evolving
innovations from leading designers, researchers and corporations, that
has the potential to shape a positive future for the world.
The final exhibition, themed ‘Future Heroes’ will be geared towards
children with three main experiences” Imagine, Design and Build. This
floor will present opportunities for children to play and learn through
activities that encourage communication, collaboration and creativity in
a simulated real-world setting.