Abu Dhabi: An estimated Dh2.4 billion will be spent on constructing the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum set to open in Saadiyat Cultural District in 2015, the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) confirmed on Wednesday.
Work is now under way to make the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s basement waterproof, marking the beginning of one of the most critical stages in the construction process.
Three massive foundation piers — each measuring 16 by 16 metres — that form the base of the dome support towers have been completed, with work now starting on a fourth pier. More than 1,400 construction workers are on site.
The 3,200 steel piles that will form the backbone of the structure are being given a special electrical charge that prevents steel corrosion using a system known as cathodic protection, according to project managers at TDIC.
Timeframe
The museum’s concrete frame is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014, while the final construction stage, including marine works and the removal of temporary land platforms, will be completed in 2015.
Taking shape as part of an intergovernmental agreement between the UAE and France in 2007, Louvre Abu Dhabi is the fist universal museum in the Arab world, embodying the spirit of openness and dialogue among cultures.
“We are delighted with the rapid advancement that has taken place in the museum’s construction during the 600,000 working hours logged so far, including the completion of two sections of the lower basement foundation slab,” said Ali Al Hammadi, deputy managing director at TDIC.
“As the museum’s completion date nears, we anticipated more significant milestones being achieved, which will highlight the important efforts made by everyone involved in development of this iconic project,” he said.
Louvre Abu Dhabi had announced earlier the achievement of the first major milestone in the construction of the museum’s distinctive dome.
The dome, which is designed with a diameter of 180 metres is expected to weigh more than 7000 tonnes — almost the weight of the Eiffel Tower — will be supported at four points only.
The design concept behind the laced dome, which consists of 120,000 pieces of aluminum and stansteel, is to reflect the interlaced palm fronds traditionally used as roofing material in the region.
Heritage model
Work on the geometric lace done will be completed by the end of 2014, resulting in an enhancing “rain of light to provide shade, reduce energy, and shelter the outside plaza and building from the sun.
“I wanted this building to mirror a protected territory that belongs to the Arab world and geography,” Jean Nouvel, architect at TDIC, said.
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s built area is approximately 87,000 square metres, with 9,200 square metres of galleries devoted to permanent display, and 2,000 square metres reserved for temporary exhibitions.
