(Above image: The Museum of Future features seven stories of exhibition space, a 420-seat auditorium, a restaurant, cafe, and futuristic lobby. Photo credit: Daniel Stauch)

“The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn't something you await, but rather create.” Those words, a quote from Dubai’s leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy on the exterior of Dubai’s eye-catching Museum of the Future. Two more optimistic quotes from the Sheikh about innovation and creativity cover the building, in elegant calligraphy designed by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej. The hopeful words aren’t just inspiring, they’re functional — from inside the building, they offer visitors a look outside. They’re windows.

Designed by Dubai-based firm Killa Design, the Museum of the Future has three main components: a lush green hill where the museum sits, the building itself, and the oval-shaped void at the center of the building, with each element representing its own story. According to the design team, the hill symbolizes rootedness and a sense of place, the building marks the strength and artistry of humankind, and the void represents innovation and sense of possibility.

Once inside the museum, visitors can immerse themselves in the "Journey of the Pioneers" exhibition, designed by German firm Atelier Brückner, which stretches across three floors and 3,000 square meters of the museum. As you enter the exhibit, you are transported to the year 2071 and invited to explore three different levels, each one representing a unique future scenario. The journey begins with the OSS Hope, a space station, followed by the Heal Institute, an organization tasked with restoring damaged ecosystems, and ending with Alwaha, a wellbeing center of the future.

What inspired the concept for the “Journey of the Pioneers” exhibit?

The concept was rooted in Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of the future as something we create rather than await. That idea of collective responsibility inspired us. We wanted visitors not just to imagine the year 2071, but to experience it — to see themselves as pioneers contributing to the future of humanity. That’s why the first stop is a rocket launch to OSS Hope: it sets the stage that everyone is part of a mission, not just an observer.

What does the design process for a museum exhibition look like?

It’s not linear. We usually start with research workshops — sitting down with scientists, technologists, historians. In this case, we even had NASA consultants and genetic engineers feeding into our thought process. We gather fragments, build storyboards, and test atmospheres early with sketches, models, or mood boards. Then comes the iterative layering: scenography, media design, lighting, sound, scent.

What do people tend to get wrong or misunderstand about exhibition design, and what's the most important step in the process that people don't typically consider?

A lot of people think that you take content and simply “wrap it” in design. In truth, the hardest and most overlooked part is the translation. That’s why at Atelier Brückner, our design philosophy is “form follows content”: we’re taking complex, often abstract content and shaping it into an emotional journey. Another misconception is that technology itself carries the story. We’ve learned it never does. The story has to drive, and then technology serves as the amplifier.

Why was it important for you all to make the exhibit deeply immersive, and how did you go about achieving that?

Because the future can feel distant. Immersion bridges that gap. If visitors feel, hear, and sense the challenges of 2071, they’re more likely to understand them and care. We used every sensory tool — vibration in the media lift, scents in the rainforest, projections that react to visitors’ voices, and material choices like clay, rattan, or 3D-printed walls that made the future feel tangible. The aim was to make the audience not passive spectators, but co-authors of the narrative.

What's the most unique part of the exhibit, in your opinion?

For me, it’s the transition moments. The rocket launch into orbit is unforgettable, but I’m equally fascinated by Alwaha, where you lie under a dome of refracted water and light. That space isn’t about technology or spectacle — it’s about reconnecting with yourself. Few museums dare to give visitors permission to simply be. That duality — futuristic space exploration and intimate inner reflection — makes the exhibition unique.

What were some challenges you faced during this project? What were your biggest successes?

The sheer scale and complexity. Coordinating more than 20 partners across disciplines and geographies, from VR artists to biologists, was a massive orchestration. Then there was the pandemic — suddenly remote collaboration became our default. Success? That it all came together as one seamless narrative. And, personally, walking into the finished spaces and seeing children and adults alike completely absorbed — that’s the best reward.

How is your company shaping the future of sustainable design?

At Atelier Brückner, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. We work with natural, reusable materials and design spaces that are built to last. We see sustainable design as the new standard, and our projects aim to set benchmarks for how museums, cultural institutions, and brand spaces embody responsibility while captivating audiences worldwide. Our approach is guided by the belief that design must serve people, culture, and the environment simultaneously.

Read more articles from the ‘Perspective: Design Is Everywhere’ issue here