Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
The silvery floating dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi has been a defining feature of Abu Dhabi's skyline since 2017. Now, for the first time, visitors can step inside and explore the iconic structure up close as part of a new tour, experiencing the architectural marvel that has come to symbolise the beauty and ambition of the universal museum in the UAE capital.
Envisioned by award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, the dome is built out of four outer layers of stainless steel, and four inner layers of aluminium. As the layers intersect, they create 7,850 star-like patterns across the façade.
Spanning 180 metres in diameter, the structure weighs a whopping 7,500 tonnes, roughly the same as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
But beyond the technical details, the dome tells the story of the UAE's rich past. Architect Nouvel famously said its design was inspired by the interlacing palm fronds used for the thatched roofs of traditional Emirati dwellings, which create the "rain of light" effect when light filters through.
Indeed, when visitors walk under the Louvre Abu Dhabi dome, they can experience the same effect, albeit in an ultramodern building that combines the wisdom of the past with the innovations of the present.
Because it borrows from the wisdom of traditional architecture, the dome also provides Louvre Abu Dhabi with the benefit of passive natural cooling leveraged in traditional Emirati design. Its shade creates a comfortable microclimate, reducing the energy consumption of the buildings below.
Nouvel referred to it as "a welcoming world serenely combining light and shadow, reflection and calm". The museum's unique play of light and shadow earned it the 2019 Lumen Award of Excellence.
In a statement announcing the new 90-minute Architectural Experience tour that culminates at the dome, the museum said visitors will be able to gain fresh perspectives on light, space and intricate design.
Participants will get the opportunity to walk Louvre Abu Dhabi's outdoor dome walkway, which is suspended 14.5 metres above ground level. The tours are priced at Dh170, excluding museum entry, and can be taken individually or in groups.
Each participant will also receive a copy of "Louvre Abu Dhabi: Story of An Architectural Project", which highlights how art, nature and architecture come together harmoniously at the museum.
