The sheer scale of the impressive structure—spanning a total area of 80,000 square meters—strikes visitors at first glance. Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry (author of the famous Guggenheim branch in Bilbao), the building will be the largest of the foundation's four locations. It includes 11,600 square meters of indoor space and 23,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition areas.

The architectural ensemble consists of 30 galleries joined by a central atrium and surrounded by a cascade of 10 cones (nine made of stainless-steel mesh and one crafted from onyx and glass). Towers reaching up to 88 meters high are designed using traditional cooling principles, such as natural ventilation and shaded barriers, allowing the structure to adapt efficiently to the harsh desert climate.

The museum’s curated collection was built over nearly 17 years. The exposition offers a fresh perspective on art from 1960 onward, with a special focus on artists from North Africa as well as West and South Asia. In a statement from the leadership, officials noted that the exhibition adheres to a "transcultural approach" that highlights artistic connections and intercultural dialogue beyond traditional chronological and geographical boundaries. Key thematic sections include "Abstraction," "Pop Culture," "Earth," and "Language and Storytelling."

"Through the many stories the museum will tell and invite visitors to experience, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be a source of inspiration, a hub of attraction, and a place of curiosity and joy for both UAE residents and guests from around the world," said Dr. Mariët Westermann, Executive Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.