Key points

• Architect : Tadao Ando, Pritzker Prize winner, known for his sculptural concrete and subtle use of light.

• Shape : Curved concrete monolith, giving the impression of floating above Dubai Creek.

• Program : Five levels including modular exhibition spaces, library, educational workshops, panoramic restaurant and VIP lounges.

• Objective : To make Dubai an international cultural hub and offer an immersive artistic experience.

A temple of concrete and light in the heart of Dubai Creek

Dubai's skyline is about to welcome a new cultural icon: the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA) , designed by Japanese master Tadao Ando . Revealed in the fall of 2025 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , this architectural project promises to be a work of art in its own right—a curved concrete monolith seemingly floating above the water , where light and matter converse in a contemplative setting worthy of the creator of the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima.

The Ando language: between minimalism and spirituality

In Ando's work, every line, every void, every beam of light carries meaning. DUMA is no exception: situated on the edge of Dubai Creek , the museum comprises a vast concrete shell with fluid curves, pierced by a cylindrical opening that allows natural light to penetrate. Visitors should have the sensation of a building suspended between sky and sea , as if weightless—a powerful metaphor for the relationship between architecture and nature, a theme dear to the Japanese architect.

The inspiration here comes from the emirate's maritime roots : the form evokes both the hull of a ship and the mother-of-pearl of a pearl, recalling the pearl diving tradition that shaped Dubai's identity. Through this poetic gesture, Ando inscribes his work in the memory of the place, while simultaneously giving it a universal resonance.

An ambitious program for a new cultural hub

The Dubai Museum of Art will not be a mere monument to the glory of contemporary architecture. Designed on five levels , it will house a vast main exhibition space , modular galleries for temporary exhibitions, an educational space dedicated to workshops and conferences, as well as an art library and several meeting areas, including a panoramic restaurant and a VIP lounge .

The program, still under development, aims to blend modern art, design, and international contemporary creation . According to initial announcements, the museum will host traveling exhibitions from major institutions , as well as artist residencies and immersive projects that explore the interplay between technology and emotion.

This project is part of Dubai's cultural strategy, already marked by the Museum of the Future and the Jameel Arts Centre : to transform the city into a global platform for art and innovation , capable of competing with the historical cultural capitals of the Arab world and Asia.

Between technical prowess and urban symbol

While DUMA fascinates with its formal purity, it also intrigues with the technical challenges it presents. How do you make such a mass of concrete "float"? Engineers suggest a system of partially submerged platforms and a play of shadows and reflections designed to accentuate the visual levitation effect.

For Ando, concrete is not a cold material, but a vehicle for spirituality—a material capable of capturing light and evoking emotion. In Dubai, this vision takes on a new dimension: in an environment dominated by verticality and brilliance, the architect offers a space for silence, slowness, and contemplation .

FAQ

When will the museum open?
The exact timetable has not yet been announced, but construction is expected to begin soon after the permits are obtained.

What types of exhibitions will be presented?
The museum will host contemporary art exhibitions, immersive projects, artist residencies and international events.

How did Ando envision the floating effect?
Thanks to partially submerged platforms and the building's positioning on the water, accentuated by reflection and natural light.