Project Description

The Museum of the Future is a place of tolerance, inviting varied cultural, philosophical, social and spiritual outlooks. It is also a place of learning, where one joins other guests in exploring the threats and opportunities shaping our times and finding solutions for a better future. The project consists of a toroidal geometry producing a complex double curved facade. The aesthetic vision is a stainless-steel façade with HH Sheikh Mohammed Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s poetry emblazoned on the exterior building surface.

Project Challenges

RBG was appointed for three key roles on the project:

• RBG was engaged by ALEC during the feasibility/pre-concept phase prior to the design of the structure. During this phase, RBG developed several superstructure diagrid arrangements and designs.
• RBG was engaged by Meraas and Buro Happold to perform the 3rd party review on the ‘issued for construction’ structure.
• RBG was appointed by the Main Contractor BAM Higgs and Hill in order to provide Construction Methodology and Erection Sequence (CMES) advice on the construction of the superstructure. RBG developed the CMES adopted on the project.

Project Complexities

The unique and geometry of the superstructure had notable interdependencies with design and constructability. To produce a Construction Methodology and Erection Sequence (CMES) for the building, the superstructure design concept needed to be understood from the outset and RBG advanced the superstructure intent and thought process in the very early stages of the project (pre-concept). Ensuring that a CMES and Staged Construction Analysis (SCA), inclusive of pre-set geometry, is developed for a structure of this complexity and is understood by all members of the project team is paramount due to the impact that this has on the design itself.

Key Success Factors:

The superstructure was completed on time and budget and all key inputs from RBG’s involvement were incorporated in the project Construction Methodology and Erection Sequence.
Approach to Achieving High Quality Service (Design) RBG met regularly with the Main Contractor and presented to the end client on several occasions. RBG provided a CMES briefing document and chaired all Construction Methodology and Erection Sequence (CMES) meetings noting progress throughout the key stages of construction planning.