Latest news with #Snøhetta
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
These US attractions make the list of the world's most beautiful museums
Thought Europe had the monopoly on stunning museums? Think again. Two U.S museums are among the world's most beautiful, according to a prestigious architecture award, which also lists museums in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and South Korea. The Unesco Prix Versailles competition named the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, on its list of the world's most beautiful museums for 2025. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History recently unveiled a $150 million refurbishment by Nebraska-based architecture firm DLR Group. The reimagined attraction has a main building "inspired by the glaciers that shaped the Great Lakes region". Prix Versailles said: "Set on remarkable landscaped grounds, the museum recounts the history of life on Earth, with the Visitor Hall at the centre showcasing its most iconic specimens. "When architecture becomes an expression of the natural world, it fosters a sense of wonder and discovery. That primary mission of any museum is magnificently deployed here in Cleveland." The judges described the Joslyn Art Museum, meanwhile, as "spectacular", explaining that its campus features three "remarkable structures" - the 1931 Joslyn Building, "an Art Deco masterpiece"; the 1994 Walter & Suzanne Scott Pavilion, the first American commission for Norman Foster; and now the 2024 Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion, designed by Oslo-based firm Snøhetta. Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, said: "The World's Most Beautiful Museums List for 2025 provides an extraordinary and particularly remarkable survey of the latest museum constructions, representing both the exuberance of youthful creativity and the maturity of the skills that inspire these achievements and make them possible." The World's Most Beautiful Museums for 2025
Mid East Info
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Snøhetta's People and the Library of Alexandria exhibition is landing in Abu Dhabi 16 May 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
Erth is proud to present People and the Library of Alexandria — an exhibition curated by global architecture and design group Snøhetta, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based creative studio Slash. The exhibition explores the life and legacy of the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, one of Egypt's most iconic cultural landmarks, and highlights its deep, enduring ties to the UAE. The story of this landmark began in 1988 with a joint initiative between UNESCO and the Egyptian government to revive the ancient Library of Alexandria and features the lesser-known role of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Guided by his appreciation for literature and culture, he contributed one of the largest donations towards the project, helping take it from idea to reality. His support laid the groundwork for the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina's opening in 2002, marking a renaissance of this historic institution and reaffirming Egypt's commitment to knowledge, education, and cultural exchange. Today, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina stands near the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria and is one of the largest libraries and cultural projects in the world — with nearly 6,000 square meters of hand-carved stone cladding and 5 million books in its collection. More than a public research library, it is a vibrant cultural hub, home to museums, exhibition spaces, educational centers, and more. Each year, it welcomes an average of 1,500 programs, lectures, and events, drawing close to a million visitors, many from younger generations. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public through booking, charts the Library's architectural journey from 1989 when Snøhetta, a then young and unknown practice, won the international UNESCO competition for the revival of the ancient Library — underlining Sheikh Zayed's pivotal role and the wider UAE connection in reimagining the ancient landmark for a new era. His vision and commitment to cultural exchange and heritage preservation not only reflected his belief in education and knowledge sharing but also inspired other leaders and nations to join the initiative, elevating the Library to a global symbol of collaboration. From this architectural legacy emerges a thread of personal stories, archival photographs, and interviews that capture the Library's profound social impact, told trough the voices of those who experience it. Every aspect of its existence — from its intricately carved stone facade to its programs and collaborations — speaks of human connection and shared experience, demonstrating how the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina continues to shape the lives of individuals and communities alike. The upcoming exhibition offers a tribute to this enduring narrative and celebrates the Library as a vibrant community hub, a sanctuary for learning, and a beacon of knowledge. Previously inaugurated at Snøhetta's Archive Gallery in Oslo, People and the Library of Alexandria is set to open on May 16th, 2025, at Erth, Abu Dhabi, and will run for three months. About Erth Abu Dhabi: Erth Abu Dhabi is a luxury hospitality and leisure destination in Abu Dhabi, combining traditional Emirati heritage with modern design. It offers a wide range of amenities, including luxury accommodation, world-class dining options, and extensive leisure facilities. The hotel stands out for its sports facilities, event venues, and lush landscapes, making it a preferred choice for both tourists and residents. Erth Abu Dhabi focuses on health, wellness, and cultural connection, often hosting events and exhibitions celebrating the UAE's history and values, attracting both leisure and business travelers. About Snøhetta: Snøhetta is an internationally acclaimed architecture and design firm renowned for its transdisciplinary approach, integrating architecture, landscape, interior design, product design, graphic design, and art. Founded in 1989, the firm gained global recognition with its winning design for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, a project that marked its commitment to creating meaningful and sustainable space. With headquarters in Oslo, Snøhetta operates studios in New York, Paris, Innsbruck, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, reflecting its global presence. The firm's portfolio includes notable projects such as the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York, and the expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. About Slash: Established in 1995, Slash is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Abu Dhabi. For the past three decades, the company has been building platforms, products, and experiences that challenge conventions and connect meaningfully with people. From shaping spaces to crafting brands, their work moves across disciplines — always guided by a belief in design as a tool for cultural clarity and social impact. Operating out of Erth Abu Dhabi in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Slash is behind initiatives like Fount, a curated concept store for design-led objects, and Fabrica, a hands-on platform for collaborative making. Together, they make up the Ripple Collective. Its ongoing series, The Abu Dhabi Sessions, invites the community to explore identity and place through conversation, design, and shared experience.
CairoScene
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Zaman Jassim's ‘When the Moon is Full' Lights Up Riyadh Metro
The installation features poetry, calligraphy and illumination, inspired by the lunar cycle and the passage of time. If you haven't been to the newly-opened Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station in Riyadh recently, you may be surprised to find a permanent art installation there. 'When the Moon is Full', created by Saudi artist Zaman Jassim, is inspired by the lunar cycle and the passage of time, using poetry, calligraphy and illumination to bring fresh light to the station. Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station was designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta. The station includes a stainless steel canopy that provides shade to public spaces and directs natural light into underground areas. And what's the moon without the sun? Bringing this pair together, the station also features 'The Sun' by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, a golden sculpture representing solar energy. The integration of these artworks is part of the Riyadh Art initiative, which aims to incorporate public art into urban infrastructure.
