Bonus points for anyone who recognizes this building!

I’ve caught glimpses of its dramatic barrel-vaulted roof structure poking through the palm trees when traveling to Al Ain the past few times. I finally found time to take a diversion and stop at Remah Park to take a closer look… and it really didn’t disappoint!

It could so easily have been just another single-storey ‘box’, but the architect went all out and added this unique roof structure. Why have one barrel vault when you can have ten, five of those tilted skywards to maximize the daylight penetrating the depth of the plan? I can only imagine how dramatic the lighting to the internal spaces must look!

Some additional details I really like: the way the external wall curves behind the columns at the main entrance, and the car park shading structure (both referencing the barrel vaulted roof profile of the main building).

I’m not sure of the buildings last use - it’s now vacant and all signage has been removed. However, the architecture speaks for itself!

Anyone else reminded ever so slightly of Foster + Partners Zayed National Museum?

Architect and completion date unknown.