(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first of three iconic museums on Saadiyat Island, achieved the first major milestone in the construction of the museum's distinct dome.
The museum, being developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, is part of the government strategy to attract tourism.
Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of TDIC and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, witnessed the first concrete pour for one of the four piers that are to hold the dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The dome, which has a diameter of 180 metres and is expected to weigh more than 7,000 tonnes - almost the weight of the Eiffel Tower - will be supported by four piers that will be nine metres high at the entrance of the museum and will reach up to 30 metres below.
The design concept behind the laced dome is to reflect the interlaced palm trees traditionally used as roofing material in the region, allowing the sun to shine through like "a rain of light."
It was designed so the roof primarily acts as a shading canopy to protect the outside plaza and building below from the radiant heat of the sun, providing comfort and reducing building energy consumption. Work on the dome is expected to be complete by the end of 2014.
The museum, which will be surrounded by water, gives the illusion of a floating structure.
Louvre Abu Dhabi has achieved major developmental milestones with the finishing of the building's detailed design and the completion of the infrastructure, which encompassed marine, excavation, piling and substructure works.
Managing Director of TDIC Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi said: "this is an important time for us because it's symbolic of moving into a new construction stage and most importantly getting another step closer towards realising our landmark project."
A temporary platform in the sea, where the entire building will be constructed, was built in 2009 to allow all works to take place in a dry environment. Upon completion of the building, including the marine works, the 40-metre high concrete walls currently built in the sand will be removed to allow seawater to flow in gradually.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi's permanent collections will take the visitor through a universal journey from the most ancient to contemporary through art works from different civilisations.
The museum will be one of the premier cultural institutions located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District that are unprecedented in scale and scope. It will be located alongside Zayed National Museum, which will open in 2016, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi that will open in 2017.
All this adds to the appeal of Saadiyat which exudes an exclusive lifestyle through the island's high-end residential, leisure, cultural and tourism facilities.
Saadiyat hosts premium residential, hospitality, education, retail and leisure brands, combined with some of the world's leading cultural institutions, all within easy reach.
The island, which covers 27 square kilometres, will eventually be home to 145,000 people.
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