For the past five years a grey, wedge-shaped monolith on the north-west corner of Saadiyat Island has been one of the most curious landmarks on Abu Dhabi’s rapidly changing skyline.
Named after the optical effect it was built to test, the Rain of Light chamber was completed soon after construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi began in March 2009.
As German foundation specialist Bauer International sank 100 kilometres of steel and more than 4,500 concrete pilings into the sand to start the project, the chamber was the only part visible from the 1.4-kilometre, 10-lane Sheikh Khalifa Bridge crossing from Abu Dhabi island.
During 2011 and 2012, the years of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s apparent hiatus, it appeared more like the vestige of a vision whose future was far from clear.
But since last year when the contract for Louvre Abu Dhabi was finally awarded and the current phase of construction began, the Rain of Light has slowly receded from view.
Obscured by the efforts of 5,000 workers over 19-million man hours, the Rain of Light was soon overshadowed by an even more distinctive landmark – the curving form of the Louvre’s 180-metre wide roof.
Now the chamber is to disappear for good.
“The Rain of Light has been the landmark for Saadiyat for as long as I can remember, but we’ve started demolition now so the contractor can use the area,” says Turner Construction International’s Amer Kharbush, the Louvre’s project manager.
“We are talking above 55 per cent with a little bit more than a year to go. We’ve finished 99 per cent of the gallery spaces. We have one more roof slab left to pour, but structurally we’re complete and we are actually starting the internal finishing work on the galleries.”
Mr Kharbush admits that there is still some serious heavy lifting to do, as the 7,000-tonne roof has to be raised, centimetre by centimetre before it can be lowered with millimetre accuracy into place.
Jassim Al Hammadi, director of infrastructure and buildings at Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company, says once the dome has been lowered into place most of the project’s most serious challenges will have passed.
“What’s coming is the mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, and finishing,” Mr Al Hammadi says. “Right now, we have around 5,000 men on site and we might reach a peak of 7,000 or 8,000, just to mitigate whatever we may have lost on time so we can achieve our goal.”
Mr Kharbush says the opening target for Louvre Abu Dhabi remains the same, 13 months from now.
“At this moment in time, the plan is [to open in] December 2015,” he says. “We’re on plan right now and we haven’t deviated.”
While the demolition of the Rain of Light may be a lesser milestone for Mr Kharbush and his colleagues, its removal does mark a tipping point.
As with the nearby mock-up gallery – which was built to allow the fine-tuning of the museum’s design, finishes, colours and materials – the chamber’s removal means a shift from time-consuming testing and experimentation to an all-out push for completion.
The Rain of Light was built as a test chamber for the analysis of a 1:1 scale prototype section of the museum’s canopy.
More than just a roof, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s dome is likely to become the museum’s signature, the unmistakable feature that promises to capture the imagination of the public, professionals and photographers alike.
The structure, resembling an upturned saucer, weighs almost as much as the Eiffel Tower. It will weigh 12,000 tonnes once the eight layers of aluminium and stainless steel cladding have been added, allowing it to work its particular magic.
Designed as a protective veil to create a microclimate for the museum’s visitors, buildings and precincts, the canopy will also use a computer-designed lattice to create the shifting light effect that its designer, Jean Nouvel, christened the Rain of Light.
“We [will] walk around in the shade that is perforated by small holes,” the architect said during a recent visit. “These small holes aren’t what you see in a strainer; they’re not just random holes that allow light in. It has to pass through a total of eight filters.
“Sunlight passes through two holes, then it is blocked by the third. But this soon changes as the rays move and we get spots of light that appear and disappear, enlarge and shrink.
“It’s a kinetic effect that is visible to the naked eye, because in 30 to 40 seconds you’ll see that one spot is getting bigger and another is disappearing.”
While Nouvel’s intangible and ephemeral dream can be predicted using computers and models, it could not be accurately recreated in detail without a full-scale mock-up operating in real conditions.
“The on site mock-up provided the team with a reference of the working effect of the Rain of Light and the opportunity to study the beams of light so as to specifically adjust the perforation pattern,” explains Atelier Jean Nouvel’s Hala Warde, the project’s architectural leader since its inception in 2007.
“The Rain of Light mock-up was always considered a temporary structure. As all the tests have now been conducted, it is time for it to be dismantled.”
Now that the details of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s canopy have been finalised, the construction teams can apply the 8,000 aluminium and stainless steel “stars” that will help to turn Nouvel’s vision into reality.
But it is a rather different kind of light effect that has captured Mr Kharbush’s imagination.
“We’re done with the dome and we’re almost there,” he says. “The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger.”
nleech@thenational.ae
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Living in...
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Baftas 2020 winners
BEST FILM
- 1917 - Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren
- THE IRISHMAN - Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
- JOKER - Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino
- PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae
DIRECTOR
- 1917 - Sam Mendes
- THE IRISHMAN - Martin Scorsese
- JOKER - Todd Phillips
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
- PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
- 1917 - Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
- BAIT - Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite
- FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
- ROCKETMAN - Dexter Fletcher, Adam Bohling, David Furnish, David Reid, Matthew Vaughn, Lee Hall
- SORRY WE MISSED YOU - Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty
- THE TWO POPES - Fernando Meirelles, Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin, Tracey Seaward, Anthony McCarten
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
- THE FAREWELL - Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia
- FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
- PAIN AND GLORY - Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar
- PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho
- PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE - Céline Sciamma, Bénédicte Couvreur
LEADING ACTRESS
- JESSIE BUCKLEY - Wild Rose
- SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Marriage Story
- SAOIRSE RONAN - Little Women
- CHARLIZE THERON - Bombshell
- RENÉE ZELLWEGER - Judy
LEADING ACTOR
- LEONARDO DICAPRIO - Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
- ADAM DRIVER - Marriage Story
- TARON EGERTON - Rocketman
- JOAQUIN PHOENIX - Joker
- JONATHAN PRYCE - The Two Popes
SUPPORTING ACTOR
- TOM HANKS - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- ANTHONY HOPKINS - The Two Popes
- AL PACINO - The Irishman
- JOE PESCI - The Irishman
- BRAD PITT - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- LAURA DERN - Marriage Story
- SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Jojo Rabbit
- FLORENCE PUGH - Little Women
- MARGOT ROBBIE - Bombshell
- MARGOT ROBBIE - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
- THE IRISHMAN - Steven Zaillian
- JOJO RABBIT - Taika Waititi
- JOKER - Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
- LITTLE WOMEN - Greta Gerwig
- THE TWO POPES - Anthony McCarten
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- BOOKSMART - Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman
- KNIVES OUT - Rian Johnson
- MARRIAGE STORY - Noah Baumbach
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
- PARASITE - Han Jin Won, Bong Joon ho
DOCUMENTARY
- AMERICAN FACTORY - Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
- APOLLO 11 - Todd Douglas Miller
- DIEGO MARADONA - Asif Kapadia
- FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
- THE GREAT HACK - Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaime
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
- BAIT - Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers)
- FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab (Director/Producer), Edward Watts (Director)
- MAIDEN - Alex Holmes (Director)
- ONLY YOU - Harry Wootliff (Writer/Director)
- RETABLO - Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio (Writer/Director)
ANIMATED FILM
- FROZEN 2 - Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho
- KLAUS - Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh
- A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON - Will Becher, Richard Phelan, Paul Kewley
- TOY STORY 4 - Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen
CASTING
- JOKER - Shayna Markowitz
- MARRIAGE STORY - Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Victoria Thomas
- THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD - Sarah Crowe
- THE TWO POPES - Nina Gold
EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
- AWKWAFINA
- JACK LOWDEN
- KAITLYN DEVER
- KELVIN HARRISON JR.
- MICHEAL WARD
CINEMATOGRAPHY
- 1917 - Roger Deakins
- THE IRISHMAN - Rodrigo Prieto
- JOKER - Lawrence Sher
- LE MANS ’66 - Phedon Papamichael
- THE LIGHTHOUSE - Jarin Blaschke
EDITING
- THE IRISHMAN - Thelma Schoonmaker
- JOJO RABBIT - Tom Eagles
- JOKER - Jeff Groth
- LE MANS ’66 - Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Fred Raskin
COSTUME DESIGN
- THE IRISHMAN - Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell
- JOJO RABBIT - Mayes C. Rubeo
- JUDY - Jany Temime
- LITTLE WOMEN - Jacqueline Durran
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Arianne Phillips
PRODUCTION DESIGN
- 1917 - Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
- THE IRISHMAN - Bob Shaw, Regina Graves
- JOJO RABBIT - Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková
- JOKER - Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran
- ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh
SOUND
- 1917 - Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
- JOKER - Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic
- LE MANS ’66 - David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester
- ROCKETMAN - Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan
- STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood
ORIGINAL SCORE
- 1917 - Thomas Newman
- JOJO RABBIT - Michael Giacchino
- JOKER - Hildur Guđnadóttir
- LITTLE WOMEN - Alexandre Desplat
- STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - John Williams
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
- 1917 - Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
- AVENGERS: ENDGAME - Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick
- THE IRISHMAN - Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
- THE LION KING - Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
- STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy
MAKE UP & HAIR
- 1917 - Naomi Donne
- BOMBSHELL - Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
- JOKER - Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
- JUDY - Jeremy Woodhead
- ROCKETMAN - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou
BRITISH SHORT FILM
- AZAAR - Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring
- GOLDFISH - Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill
- KAMALI - Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad
- LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) - Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
- THE TRAP - Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
- GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC - Maryam Mohajer
- IN HER BOOTS - Kathrin Steinbacher
- THE MAGIC BOAT - Naaman Azh
