- The development phases for the museum were issued in several sequential packages. The first package of enabling works, executed by Bauer International FZE, was completed in January 2010 after 500,000 cubic metres of earth was excavated to accommodate the base of the museum.
- The piling works phase, which was competitively tendered, was also contracted to Bauer International FZE. It was completed in August 2010, with a total of 4,536 piles driven into the ground, including 2,958 steel piles and 1,578 concrete piles, the length of which is equivalent to the distance from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
- The next phase will see the completion of the main contractor works. They will execute the substructure as well as the concrete superstructure works, and all works associated with the iconic dome.
- The main contractor works will also cover all mechanical and electrical aspects of the project, including the build-out of the interiors, fixtures and equipment.
A prototype of the dome, 15 metres in diameter, has been installed on Saadiyat Island and was used to test the intensity of light relative to the cladding patterns, aperture sizes and actual ambient light conditions on site prior to fabrication of the final structure, which will measure 180 metres in diameter.
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