Six Construct, the Middle Eastern subsidiary of Belgian contractor Besix Group, and Trojan General Contracting, a subsidiary of Alpha Dhabi Holding, have been chosen to build the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum.
Designed by Pritzker prize winner Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will occupy a site on Saadiyat Island cultural district, and will be the largest of the four Guggenheim museums. The other three are located in Bilbao, New York and Venice.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will have a main building surrounded by asymmetrical cones that act as museum entrances and outdoor exhibition spaces.
Sustainable features such as organic cooling and ventilation are inspired by traditional Middle Eastern wind towers.
The museum will be made from steel, concrete, wood and aluminium.
Pierre Sironval, Besix Group’s chief executive, said: "We are extremely proud to build the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a museum of global modern and contemporary art that will further enhance the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a destination.
“The museum joins Besix Group’s previous achievements in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Emirates Palace and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge. We have also had the honour of constructing the Dancing House, designed by Frank Gehry, in Prague.”
Olivier Crasson, Six Construct’s chief, said: “I would like to thank our client, the Department of Culture and Tourism, for its confidence. This is a particularly complex yet very sustainable building, which will benefit from our engineering and construction expertise.
“Together with Trojan, a high-quality partner, we will make the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi a great success for our client and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is due be completed in 2025.
