Architect Shaun Killa has forever changed the way we look and describe Dubai. From mentions of luxury, shows of wealth, and glitz, it will now also be known as an architectural and cultural icon. This hub of creativity and innovation dubbed the Museum of the Future is a seven-story structure shaped like a giant silver egg with a void in the center. Of the five levels of the museum, each offers a different experiential display. The top-level is occupied by OSS Hope, a cosmos-themed floor where visitors live temporarily in space. Next comes ‘Vault of Life,’ a near-perfect reinvention of a natural part of the Amazon rainforest in Leticia, Colombia.
The mid-level is dedicated to health and wellness. It is called- ‘Al Waha,’ and the tranquil space is ideal for stimulating one’s senses, breaking free from the perpetual distractions of technology, immersing in a meditative experience, and more. A floor below is a unique addition called the ‘Tomorrow Today’ display. The area explores the potential of technology to shape the future and tackle challenges. The lowest level comprises a play area for children under 10.
Called Future Heroes, the space encourages young minds to make new discoveries about themselves and their world. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the Museum of the Future, calling it the most beautiful building in the world. In addition to the experiential displays, the museum contains a 1,000-capacity multi-use hall, a 345-seat lecture theatre, and numerous laboratory spaces. The stainless steel structure appears windowless, but windows are embedded in Arabic quotes.
According to Dezeen, the three sentences written on the building read: “We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone”; “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create”; and “Innovation is not an intellectual luxury. It is the secret behind the evolution and rejuvenation of nations and peoples”.
