teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi reaches 25% construction mark

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, the Abu-Dhabi-based developer of destinations and experiences, has announced the 25% construction completion of the immersive, multi-sensory attraction, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, located in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

In a statement, DCT Abu Dhabi explained that the project is being developed in partnership with teamLab, the globally acclaimed, interdisciplinary Tokyo-based art collective. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is set to be completed in 2024 and will be an immersive, inspirational space at the intersection of art and technology. 

The 17,000sqm (GFA) teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi building has been conceived with installations that will be unique to Abu Dhabi, created through an extensive experimentation process, the statement added.

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delivering on our vision to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi and inspire future generations to embark on journeys of creativity and discovery. As we transform the emirate into an unparalleled global destination with arts, culture, and entertainment at the forefront, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will be truly unique and a milestone of innovation and progress.

“Through the power of partnership with DCT, Miral, teamLab and our ecosystem of contractors, we will deliver a thoughtfully-curated experience and an iconic culture and tourism destination to share with the world – all of which reinforces Saadiyat Cultural District’s credentials globally.”

He added that visitors will be invited to journey through teamLab’s new concept of Environmental Phenomena, which will offer a new perspective on the world. The featured artworks will be created and shaped by the environment which produces the various phenomena. The architecture will play an important role in providing the artworks with an environment to evolve freely and organically, as if they were life-forms themselves. 

The experience will be unique to each visitor, changing with each visit, the statement continued.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said: “The development of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi demonstrates how Miral is contributing to the evolution of the emirate’s cultural landscape. Working with our partners, we are pioneering cutting-edge immersive technology to interpret environmental phenomena, which is the basis for a curated experiential space that influences the incredible architecture around it, and which offers visitors a fresh perspective every time they visit. This creates a unique guest experience in Abu Dhabi that will be truly transformative, memorable, and sharable.”

ALEC, the Dubai-based construction group, has been appointed as the main contractor for the mega-project, the statement concluded.

Cultural capital

With culture a major driver of social and economic development, Abu Dhabi is becoming a globally known centre of talent and a leading producer of creative content. The emirate has said that it aims to broaden artistic and cultural expression by providing its community and visitors with a diverse cultural programme curated to inspire creativity and knowledge development, creating a culturally active and artistically conscious city with strong links to the wider region and the world. 

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will sit alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and other major landmarks comprising the Saadiyat Cultural District. The emirate’s performing arts, media and gaming sectors will also see further investment in their diverse array of programmes and initiatives.