Beloved architectural landmark in Sharjah finds new lease of life as cultural and exhibition hub

Originally constructed in the 1970s and home to various businesses over the years, from a one-stop shop, restaurant, newsstand, tobacconist, gift shop, patisserie and delicatessen, this unusually shaped landmark was acquired in 2012 by the Sharjah Art Foundation and used as an exhibition venue for a number of years.

An extensive renovation project, completed in 2020, shifted the support functions underground and restored the building to its original design, reminiscent of a flying saucer. A combination of space-age and Brutalist influences, the Flying Saucer is constructed of a wide circular dome floating above a ring of eight columns, topped with a star shaped canopy supported by angled v-shaped pillars.

Transformed into a community hub, visitors will now find an outdoor space for social events, performances and art installations while underground there is the “Launch Pad”, home to the Green Crater, a sunken circular courtyard filled with vegetation and light, a café and curated library. The Flying Saucer offers various programmes of film screenings, workshops, performances and readings.

Visitors to The Flying Saucer can enjoy access to the first public art library in Sharjah. Open for all, its collection includes Foundation publications, artist books and catalogues as well as reference materials that target curious readers, researchers and art and history enthusiasts. Along the library wall are a number of long tables that double up as workspaces where bookworms can read and enjoy the library offerings. Publications are available in Arabic and English. The library is constantly updated with the latest Foundation publications, monographs and materials. The building has returned to its position as an iconic landmark of Sharjah at the intersection of a number of important urban intersections and found a new lease of life as multi-cultural hub for the residents of Sharjah.

Fen Café:

With an eclectic menu sourcing local and international ingredients for fusion cuisine, Fen café is a stylish and creative hang out offering great coffees, teas and inventive dishes for every palate.

How to get there

The Flying saucer is located on the corner of Sheikh Zahed St., Al Wahda St., and Sheikh Humaid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi St., Dasman, Sharjah.

The Flying Saucer
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