2022 Works of Wonder: Museum of the Future

Even in a city of contemporary architectural and engineering marvels like Dubai, the new Museum of the Future stands out. Shaun Killa, of local firm Killa Design, conceived the elongated vertical ring shape of the column-less, 320,000-square-foot building to push the design envelope—and it does just that. Featuring a stainless-steel façade inscribed with illuminated Arabic calligraphy by artist Mattar bin Lahej, the structure will be an instant (and highly Instagrammable) icon. But it’s not only its aesthetic that makes it matter: A model of sustainability, it’s powered by passive solar technology and makes use of low-water and low-energy solutions. In fact, the museum is so green that it will be the first building of its kind in the Middle East to receive LEED Platinum certification.