This was published 2 years ago
Museum of the Future, Dubai: Unique museum looks forward, not back
By Belinda Jackson
Shaped like a human eye, the building was designed by Dubai architecture firm Killa Design and has been dubbed "the most beautiful building on Earth" by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Credit: AP
Rising 77 metres out of a green hill on the edge of Dubai's main thoroughfare, the Museum of the Future (MOTF) has been a feature of Sheikh Zayed Road since construction began on the ring-shaped building six years ago.
The MOTF has finally opened with a light show that outshone even the lights of Dubai, and the curved interiors, a closely-guarded secret, are now revealed.
Take a walk through the Amazon rainforest and view models of the DNA of 2400 species ensnared in glass cylinders – some are extinct, others are threatened with extinction. Then lift-off on the spacecraft Hope to visit a NASA-approved international space station, 600 kilometres above Earth.
The Museum of the Future opened on February 22 (22/22/22).Credit: AP
In an ever-evolving display, visitors can toy with driverless cars and cyberdogs, and childrens are encouraged to play with gravity and physics while exploring ideas of climate, nature and care of the planet. Keep an eye on the schedule of talks with scientists, industry leaders and innovators.
Shaped like a human eye, the building was designed by Dubai architecture firm Killa Design and has been dubbed "the most beautiful building on Earth" by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
The exterior is decorated with his quotes, written in Arabic calligraphy, such as: "The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn't something you await, but rather create."
The exterior is decorated with his quotes, written in Arabic calligraphy. The words are windows in the day, and projected out into the universe by 14,000 metres of LED lighting at night.Credit: AP
The words are windows in the day, and projected out into the universe by 14,000 metres of LED lighting at night.
The museum's curators note that the MOTF doesn't collect artefacts from the past, but rather displays ideas from tomorrow, as the oil-rich emirate continues to future-proof itself, as demonstrated by this solar-powered museum.
Given its dedication to science and technology, numbers are the name of the game here: the museum opened on February 22 (22/2/22), its shell is created from 1024 stainless-steel panels (that's 1024 bytes in a kilobyte).
Like most things, its opening has been delayed. Had it opened last year at the peak of the world Expo, it would have enjoyed further symmetry as 2021 was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirate, and the museum looks forward 50 years to life in 2071.
Located beside Emirates Towers metro station on the Red Line, two stops from the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, the Museum of the Future is open 365 days a year from 10am-5pm.
Tickets AED145 ($54; children under 3 are free, as are people of determination; the regional term used to describe people with disability).
See also: The pros (and cons) of visiting Dubai and its neighbours
See also: Twice as big as London Eye: On board the world's largest observation wheel in Dubai
IN OTHER NEWS
By Julietta Jameson
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR G'DAY
G'Day Group, Australia's largest regional accommodation provider is making moves in the West Australian top end, buying Lake Argyle Resort in the Kimberley and bringing it into the same family as another Kimberly icon, El Questro which it bought last year. Improvements are planned, as is a $10 million upgrade to its Discovery Parks Broome. Adelaide-based G'day Group also owns Kings Canyon Resort and more than 300 holiday parks. See gdaygroup.com.au
PRIORITY PRIVATE
If COVID safety is your travel priority, then APT's new Private Jet Air Tours in Europe may appeal. The 2023 trips include internal flights aboard a privately chartered aircraft with dedicated crew. There are three new luxury itineraries of 10-14 days, as well as the 35-day Ultimate Europe by Private Jet trip, which combines the other three. From $8595 a person.
MINOR MAKEOVER
Emirates Airlines has upgraded its lounge for unaccompanied minors at Dubai International Airport. It now offers video games, drinks and snacks, comfortable seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and kid-friendly washrooms. Young solo flyers in transit in Dubai can be escorted there and onto their connection by Emirates' ground services team. Available for children 5 to 15. See emirates.com
OFF WITH THEIR BEDS
Sleep where Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII did at the extensively refurbished Thornbury Castle near Bristol, UK. Just reopened, the 26 rooms and suites in the 1533 castle have been restored in a manner befitting such history. Thornbury Castle also recently joined the Relais & Chateaux group. Rooms from about £279 ($520).
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