The new home of the Dubai Coins Museum is a traditional house in the Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood, the oldest part of the city. The building stands out for two reasons: the elaborate interior decoration of the arches and latticework in the liwan, or ceremonial central hall; and the wind tower which, apart from its original function of providing natural ventilation and passive cooling, is defined by delicate architectural details that set it apart from the nearby towers.
To adapt the house to its new museum use, the central courtyard (now an exhibition space) was covered by a roof that acts as separate structure from the original building, accommodating the air conditioning equipment, preserving the penetration of natural light and integrating the adjacent rooms as exhibition halls. The sole support for the roof is a large wall covered in gilded mirrors that camouflage its materiality and reflect the interior of the courtyard, creating the effect of a space almost double in size.
The AV equipment is activated behind the mirrors, so the wall functions as a type of vast screen on which the images float. The reverse side displays different shots of the house to remind visitors of its heritage value. A new flooring system puts all the rooms on the same physical level and creates a unifying element while concealing the foot of the wall and guaranteeing accessibility for visitors.
Modifications to some of the walls serve to define different exhibition halls and ancillary services. The only space with large windows on the exterior facade is now the museum reception area, and two rooms on the top floor have been equipped to preserve the collection.
As part of the restrained exhibition design adapted to the interior architecture of the house, the main walls in each room are deep blue, a dramatic device that contrasts with the light, gilded display cases in which the coins and notes are arranged in chronological order. Specially commissioned texts, maps, illustrations and infographics facilitate a greater understanding of the contents of the cases, which are further complemented by documentary videos, interactive screens, lighting effects and even a kaleidoscopic video installation at the base of the magnificent wind tower.
