Flying Saucer Sharjah – UAE   No AE-SHJ1402022005  Silver (Physical)

The so called "Flying Saucer" was constructed in the mid-1970s, and modified over the decades to house various businesses, starting as a one-stop-shop restaurant, newsstand, tobacconist, gift shop, patisserie and delicatessen.

In 2012, this architectural landmark, was acquired by the Sharjah Art Foundation, and used as a venue since 2015 (see some exhibitions below). After finishing a major renovation project, which began in 2018 and continued the work started by the Foundation in 2015, the new Flying Saucer was reopened on 26 September 2020.

The renovation, led by SAF and SpaceContinuum Design Studio, helmed by Studio Founder Mona El Mousfy, has restored the original character of the building, removing the added annex and moving all support functions to the underground in order to restore the building to its original silhouette and enhance the open character of the interior gallery space.

This intervention also includes two new additions designed to complement the building spatially and programmatically and support its function as a community hub and resource. The first is an exterior Platform, an open, outdoor public space designed to act as a spatial and programmatic extension of The Flying Saucer, that will host social events, performances and outdoor art installations.