The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has awarded the main construction contract for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to a joint venture between Six Construct, a subsidiary of BESIX Group, and Trojan General Contracting LLC, a subsidiary of Alpha Dhabi Holding.
This museum, which is located on Saadiyat Island and borders on the Arabian Gulf on three sides, will be the largest of the four Guggenheim museums (New York, Venice and Bilbao) and will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for arts and culture.
The outstanding architecture of the building is the work of the award-winning and world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. It features a series of asymmetrical cones which surround the main building and serve as both entrances to the museum and outdoor exhibition spaces.
The design also incorporates sustainable elements appropriate to the region, including the natural cooling and ventilation of the covered courtyards, inspired by the concept of traditional wind towers found throughout the Middle East.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be part of the Saadiyat Cultural District, an emerging global cultural centre with a concentration of iconic museums, galleries, and performance venues.
In collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the museum will present a collection from all four corners of the world (including art since circa 1960) with a specific focus on West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia (WANASA).
The museum’s collection will foster a deeper understanding of how different art perspectives have shaped the interconnected histories and cultures of our time. The museum will also serve as a forum for academic research and intellectual and cultural dialogue, engaging artists, scholars, curators, architects and innovative thinkers.
The joint venture contract includes all construction work, except for the foundations, which have already been completed. The building is made of various materials, including steel, concrete, wood and aluminum. The construction process has been carefully prepared by the joint venture partners to optimise planning, methods and procurement.
Construction is set to be completed in 2025.
