THE LOUVRE ABU DHABI is an art museum located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

It runs under an agreement between the UAE and France, signed in March 2007, that allows it to use the Louvre's name until 2047 and has been described by the Louvre as "France's largest cultural project abroad."

It is approximately 24000 square metres (260000 sq ft) in size with 8000 square metres (86000 sq ft) of galleries making it the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula

By 2019, the Louvre Abu Dhabi had already attracted 2 million visitors, making it the most visited museum in the Arab world

LOCATION
The museum is part of a US$27 billion tourist and cultural development for Saadiyat Island, planned to house a cluster of world-class cultural assets

In addition to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, these are to include
The Zayed National Museum, on a design by Foster and Partners
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary arts museum by Frank Gehry expected to be the world's largest Guggenheim
A performing arts centre designed by Dame Zaha Hadid
A maritime museum with concept design by Tadao Ando
And a number of arts pavilions
The Abrahamic Family House was later added to the cluster, with completion expected in 2022

HISTORY
In 2005 the United Arab Emirates put forward to the French government the idea of creating a museum in the Emirates bearing the name of the Louvre

Also in the summer of 2005, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a letter about the project to France's president Jacques Chirac

Formal negotiations on the project between the two countries started in the summer of 2006

The agreement detailing the partnership and licensing arrangements was signed on 6 March 2007 by respective representatives of the French and UAE governments

That agreement was ratified by the French Parliament on 9 October 2007 after Jacques Chirac had been replaced as French President by Nicolas Sarkozy

Even after leaving the presidency, Chirac remained a major supporter of the project

CONSTRUCTION
Construction works at Louvre Abu Dhabi officially started on 26 May 2009

The piling and enabling works package was awarded to the German specialized company Bauer International FZE

A total of 4536 piles in steel and reinforced concrete were completed on 3 August 2010

Construction on the main phase of the museum began in early 2013 by a consortium headed by Arabtec, Constructora San José and Oger Abu Dhabi under a $653 million contract

This stage included waterproofing and the two basement levels, along with four concrete pillars that will support the 7000-tonne dome

INAGURATION AND AFTERMATH
The museum was eventually inaugurated on 8 November 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince (and de facto ruler) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum-Opened to the public 3 days later

In November 2019, the waterfront boulevard on which the museum is located on the eastern end of Saadiyat Island was named after former French President Jacques Chirac in recognition of his role in the project and in the development of links between France and the UAE

In February 2020, a Fouquet's restaurant opened as the main catering amenity inside the museum, with a menu created in partnership with celebrity chef Pierre Gagnaire

DESIGN ARCHITECTURE
During the initial Concept Design phase in 2006-2007-Jean Nouvel and his team designed the museum as a "seemingly floating dome structure"; its web-patterned dome allowing the sun to filter through

The overall effect is meant to represent "rays of sunlight passing through date palm fronds in an oasis."

The total area of the museum will be approximately 24000 square metres (260000 sq ft)

The permanent collection will occupy 6000 square metres (65000 sq ft), and the temporary exhibitions will take place over 2000 square metres (22000 sq ft)

ENGINEERING
Their structural engineers realised the "floating dome" from 7850 aluminium stars of varying sizes, which tessellate over eight layers to create a perforated roof structure that allows sunlight through to the spaces below

A team of specialist geotechnical and water engineers designed a watertight basement and tidal pools within the galleries to give the illusion of a "museum in the sea" while protecting artwork, artefacts and visitors from the corrosive marine environment

Guests who visit the museum can discover the 55 buildings of which 23 are art galleries and are constructed to look like the low-rise home of the region

WAYFINDING
The three-languages wayfinding system for the Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by Philippe Apeloig, and is implemented in both Arabic and Roman script

The design of the pictograms was inspired by the museum's architecture, and particularly by the abstract shapes created by the rain of light filtering through the dome

Each pictogram is a combination of several of these shapes, creating silhouettes and objects