Dubai to build five-story floating museum

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is going to build a floating museum. It has been named ‘Dubai Museum of Art’ (DUMA). It will be built on the waters of ‘Dubai Creek’ by the Al Futtaim Group. The museum will reflect Dubai’s vision of becoming the global capital of the creative economy and the city’s continuous development of culture and art. The entire architecture will be built in a way that will give visitors a unique experience. 

Recently, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the design of the ‘Dubai Museum of Art’ (DUMA) project.

At the inauguration ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed said that culture and art are the soul of a city, and a reflection of its progress. They express the depth of the city’s vision and humanitarian mission. Dubai Museum of Art will be the city’s new beacon, enriching the arts and further cementing Dubai’s global cultural standing.

He added, “Dubai is now one of the world’s most creative destinations. Here, the creative industries and communities work together to develop the creative economy. This new cultural landmark advances our strategic goal of establishing Dubai as a global hub for creativity.”

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Sheikh Mohammed added, “The Dubai Museum of Art demonstrates how the power of public-private partnerships can transform bold ideas into reality and create world-class landmarks worthy of Dubai’s stature. We thank Al Futtaim Group for their contribution.”

The opening ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (President of the UAE National Olympic Committee), Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority), Minister Mohammed Al Gergawi, Dr. Anwar Gargash, Abdul Rahman Al Wais, Mohammed Ahmed Al Moor and Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Futtaim Group.

Designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, ​​the museum is a unique blend of local heritage and modern architecture. The building will embody symbolic meaning, human-centered design, dynamic purpose and aesthetic appeal. It will be a place of sensory experience that transcends physical boundaries.

The five-story museum, which stands on the water, will have changing exhibition galleries on the first and second floors. The third floor will house a restaurant and VIP lounge, while the ground floor and basement will also house the exhibition.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be artist talks, panel discussions, educational programs and an art fair. A specially designed event space and VIP lounge will host various cultural programs. This will encourage education, dialogue and creative innovation.

The museum is inspired by the symbols of the sea and pearls. The curved shell-shaped exterior of the museum surrounds a circular exhibition hall. This symbolizes unity, exploration and continuity. At its center will be a cylindrical open space, through which natural light will enter and shine like pearls.

Tadao Ando is a world-renowned Japanese architect who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize (known as the Nobel Prize of architecture) in 1995. His designs are typically made of concrete, light and shadow, which are in harmony with nature. His notable works include the Chichu Art Museum (Japan), the Bourse de Commerce (Paris, France), and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Texas, United States).