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to consider options for the design of a building that would not be possible in the United States or in Europe . It was clear from the beginning that this had to be a new invention ... The landscape , the opportunity , the requirement to build something that people all over the world would come to , and the possible resources to accomplish it , opened tracks that were not likely to be considered anywhere else . The site itself , virtually on the water or close to the water on all sides , in a desert landscape with the beautiful sea , and the light quality of the place suggested some of the direction . " Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid was commissioned to design Saadiyat ' s Performing Arts Center , where the best music , theater and dance performances will be staged . As part of the concept Hadid proposes a 62 m high building which will include five theaters : a music hall , concert hall , opera house , drama theater , and a "flexible" theater with 6 , 300 seats - 1 , 100 more than London's Royal Albert Hall . The plan may be further expanded to include an Academy of Performing Arts as well . French architect Jean Nouvel is best known for his design of the Fondation Cartier , Paris , and the extensive use of transparent glass walls . Nouvel was commissioned to design a Classical Museum of Art , and his concept owes greatly to the island's natural setting . According to Nouvel , "The island offers a harsh landscape , tempered by its meeting with the inlet , a striking image of the aridity of the earth versus the fluidity of the waters . These fired the imagination towards unknown cities buried deep in the sands or sunk under water . These dreamy thoughts have merged into a simple plan of an archaeological field revived as a small city , a cluster of low-rise buildings placed along a leisurely promenade . " Japanese architect Tadao Ando designs the island ' s Maritime Museum , which will reflect the rich marine history of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf in general . His concept draws its inspiration from Abu Dhabi ' s natural setting , landscapes , and maritime traditions . The structure boasts a reflective surface visually fusing land and sea . The ship-like interior contains floating platforms that provide passage through the exhibition space . Even before the architects' exhibition , Christie ' s Auction House opened a regional office in Dubai , and its first auction was held in May 2006 . Sotheby ' s and Phillips de Pury are also considering opening auction houses in Dubai and are seeking sites for their offices . In addition to the aforementioned monumental projects which are mainly intended for the presentation of Western art , and are designed by Western architects , the Sheikh Zayed's heritage . Surprisingly , an not Zayed National Museum will also be erected , and dedicated to Abu Dhabi ' s national history and traditions and to Sheikh architect has
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