UAE-based builder Arabtec said it is engaged in the final stages of the external facade cladding work on the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum during a visit by Abu Dhabi Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) officials.

A top delegation of TDIC led by its chairman Ali Majed Al Mansoori toured the construction site along with Arabtec chairman Mohamed Thani Murshed Al Rumaithi to witness the advanced cladding work, said a statement from the tourism company.

The construction work for the ambitious Abu Dhabi museum project was awarded to an Arabtec-led joint venture with Constructora San Jose and Oger Abu Dhabi in 2013.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, Louvre Abu Dhabi will feature a permanent gallery, a temporary gallery, a children’s museum and an auditorium, while its iconic dome offers museum goers an enchanting ‘rain of light’ effect as they admire the museum’s rich array of artworks.

During the site visit, the officials studied the progress made on the museum’s construction work. They were accompanied by Nouvel as well.

“We are pleased with the progress level currently taking place on-site, which confirms that the museum’s building is developing as scheduled. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s unique architecture sets it apart and with interest growing daily for this world-class cultural institution, the museum will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s drive to become a global destination of choice once it officially opens to the public,” Al Mansoori said after the inspection.

According to him, the museum’s external façade comprises more than 4,680 pieces, 3,821 of which are unique.

A highlight among the developments was the dome where Jean Nouvel’s Rain of Light effect has started to take shape, he noted.  

The tour also included a walk-through the museum’s basement levels, its interior gallery spaces and exterior features.-TradeArabia News Service