The Louvre At Abu Dhabi

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The Louvre in Abu Dhabi is quietly approached with a white trellised walkway and glimpses of a grand saucer hovering over white cubes scattered for various galleries and their ancillary facilities. This neo-modern sprawling ensemble presents an exhilarating experience of the place — the ultimate culmination of any architectural expedition. Central to this structure are spattered scoops of mellow light filtering from the multilayered roof in a new play of illumination and shade that perhaps echo a traditional bazaar. With a diameter of 180 metres, the dome is a distinct element of the Museum. Comprising a massive grid of 85 large steel puzzle-like parts, it is layered with four sheets of cladding on top and four below. Together it creates an intricately latticed roof that filters the harsh desert sunlight to create an interplay of dancing light and shadows. Engineered with precision, this is one of the most innovative and complex projects undertaken