Opened on January 7, 2017, the museum chronicles the era before the country’s founding, the agreement signing and subsequent declaration of the Union in 1971. The museum also provides insight and understanding of the UAE constitution and the rights and responsibilities of Emirati citizens. The building design was inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns symbolising the pens used to sign the Union agreement. As part of the museum initiative, the original Union House where leaders signed the treaty establishing the country was restored, and the famous flagpole at the end of 2nd of December Street was replaced with a slightly taller 123m pole. The museum complex covers 2.5 hectares.
The building includes permanent and temporary halls, a theatre, an educational area, a recreational area, administrative offices and car parking. It comprises eight permanent galleries in addition to a temporary gallery to exhibit items from international museums.
The project, valued at approximately $133m (AED488m), was commissioned by the Roads and Transport Authority and is located in the Jumeirah district in Dubai.
Distributor: Aspire Controls & Solutions, Dubai, UAE
MEP contractor: Al Shafar General Contracting LLC, Dubai, UAE
Consultant: Halcrow Consulting Inc., United Kingdom
