Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak announced that the emirate plans to build two new museums in addition to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, and Sheikh Zayed National Museum, designed by Norman Foster. The new projects are expected to be completed by 2025. Very little has yet been revealed about the developments; however, it has been confirmed that both institutions are under construction.
According to Al Mubarak, the emirate made “a very clear and conscious decision to invest in culture, and investing in culture does not just mean buildings. We’re investing in infrastructure, both soft and hard—whether it’s institutions, music programs, or school curricula.” The new museums will join the already completed Jean Nouvel–designed Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saaidayat Island.
Saadiyat Island (which means “an island of happiness” in Arabic) is a natural island and a tourism-cultural project for nature and Emirati heritage and culture that is located in Abu Dhabi.
You can read more about Norman Foster’s architecture in our article Norman Foster – an Architect Building the Future. Projects in the United Arab Emirates.
