The Louvre Abu Dhabi

Jean Nouvel takes two distinctive features of Arabic life, the cupola and the dappled light that filters through the palm trees, to create a building that is essentially a dome that gives “a rain of light” through thousands of permutations of a structure of stars. Although the word “iconic” is always at risk of being overused, this is undoubtedly a powerful symbol of the nation’s vision and achievements, as well as of the equally powerful brand that is the Louvre.