Local developer Meraas has approached contractors for the deal to build the estimated AED500m ($136m) Museum of the Future on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.

Set to open in 2017, the museum will be used to showcase cutting-edge technologies, and with the motto ‘See the future, create the future”, it has been designed to play a leading role in developing a culture of innovation in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.

When launched earlier this year, it was said that part of the structure will be 3D-printed rather than conventionally built.

The concept design was prepared by Shaun Killa, who used to work in Dubai for UK-based Atkins. The engineering consultant is the UK’s Buro Happold.

The museum will complement the World Expo that will be held in Dubai in 2020. Development work for the Expo is starting to gather pace.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has issued requests for proposals for three consultancy contacts at the Expo 2020 site in the Jebel Ali area. The roles cover the infrastructure design and supervision, urban planning and the design public spaces, as well as the design of the development’s souq/market area.

In November 2014, DWTC appointed a team of US-based CH2M Hill and UK-based Mace Group for the programme management of the real estate development at the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development, which includes the site that will be used for the 2020 Expo.