Dubai Maritime Museum & Research Centre

The Dubai Maritime Museum & Research Centre is a concept cultural and research facility planned for Maritime City in Dubai. Conceived as an extension of the city into the sea, the design combines above-water and submerged spaces with exhibition, educational and experimental functions, as well as facilities for marine research and visitor experiences.

What this place is and where it is located

The project is conceived as a combined museum and research centre focused on maritime themes. Designed by Studio Niko Kapa, it was the winning entry in an architectural competition. The building is planned to extend from the urban shoreline into the marine environment, with part of the structure located below the waterline. A large cell-structured glass roof, supported by diamond-shaped structural cores, creates a distinctive silhouette spanning sea and city.

The interior is organised around cascading platforms that lead visitors down to a central chamber at the deepest point of the building. This chamber is intended to contain a submarine vessel for journeys through the museum’s underwater section. Above- and below-water exhibition spaces are designed to showcase marine life, maritime technology, underwater photography, and interactive experimental displays.

The Dubai Maritime Museum & Research Centre is planned for Maritime City, Dubai, a master-planned waterfront precinct.

Transport and distances

The nearest Dubai Metro reference is Green Line station G24, approximately 3,000 metres away. Short vehicle journeys, taxis or shuttle services would provide convenient connections to the metro network.

As the design extends into the sea, its approach and circulation differ from a conventional urban site. The concept anticipates arrival by road along the Maritime City spine, followed by pedestrian and internal vertical circulation between land, above-water public spaces and submerged exhibits.

Design, structure and exhibits

The concept design is distinguished by several technical and narrative elements:

• Integration with the maritime environment: the building is planned across above- and below-water volumes, allowing exhibitions to engage directly with marine ecosystems and underwater views.
• Cellular glass roof and diamond cores: a large roof of repeating cells is supported by diamond-shaped structural cores, designed to distribute loads, bring daylight into the interior and reference maritime engineering.
• Cascading platforms and a deep chamber: internal terraces and platforms descend through the building to a central chamber planned for a submarine vessel.
• Energy and environmental rationale: cooler seawater is incorporated into the concept to reduce the energy required for cooling interior spaces.

Proposed exhibitions include marine life sculptures, marine-technology displays, interactive and experimental exhibits, aquariums, video projections, digital representations and underwater photography. Together, these spaces are intended to support both museum programming and research- and technology-focused activity.

Who the centre is suited to

With its mix of museum, research and experiential spaces, the Dubai Maritime Museum & Research Centre is suited to several audiences:

• General visitors and cultural tourists seeking maritime and underwater experiences;
• Families and school groups interested in interactive educational exhibits and aquariums;
• Students and academics working in marine science, maritime history, conservation and related fields;
• Professionals and companies in marine technology seeking exhibition or research collaboration spaces;
• Event organisers looking for a distinctive venue centred on maritime and underwater themes.

Its layered public platforms, specialised exhibition chambers and research-oriented volumes are designed to accommodate public outreach, technical demonstrations and controlled research activity.

Short FAQ

What is the Dubai Maritime Museum & Research Centre?
It is a proposed museum and research facility designed to extend into the sea, with exhibitions, aquariums, research spaces and an underwater component.

Who designed the concept and how was it selected?
The architectural concept was designed by Studio Niko Kapa and selected as the winning entry in a competition.

What kinds of exhibits and experiences does the concept propose?
The design includes marine life sculptures, marine-technology displays, interactive educational and experimental exhibits, aquariums, video and digital media, underwater-photography exhibitions and a central chamber intended to host a submarine vessel for tours through the submerged section.

How does the design address environmental control?
The concept incorporates naturally cooler seawater to reduce interior cooling demand, alongside a cell-structured glass roof and engineered structural cores designed to manage light and loads.

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