Al Shindagha Museum

Al Shindagha Museum is among the largest heritage sites in the UAE — an open-air museum spread across dozens of restored historic houses in the Al Shindagha district, at the mouth of Dubai Creek where the city began. Once home to the ruling Al Maktoum family and to pearl merchants and seafarers, the neighbourhood has been restored by Dubai's heritage teams using traditional materials and techniques — wind towers, courtyards, coral-and-gypsum walls — and integrated with modern systems including solar energy and natural ventilation. Its 22 numbered themed pavilions, grouped into clusters, tell the story of Emirati life across maritime trade, pearl diving, crafts, food, faith, governance and the rise of the modern city, combining artefacts and archival photography with multimedia, projection mapping and immersive technology. The international exhibition design was led by Ralph Appelbaum Associates with studios including Empty.