![The reopening later this month will be marked by a new multimedia installation 'Nowhere Less Now 3 [flying saucer]' by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A7VT2LLZBM2UD7TYGV4DS77J4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e9024280614705d4abe113fe6807371311fb72dc4bb8231978ea518f002d7b5&width=400&height=225)
![The Flying Saucer, Sharjah, UAE, 2020. Photo: Danko Stjepanovic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZSEV2VJLPZISEDSE3CWASXB5YA.jpg?smart=true&auth=dece91860db871e4526a8e2bd8ed53fc22825d195549f664cfe88d2216f880a8&width=400&height=225)
![Built in the mid-1970s, the Brutalist structure was used as a one-stop-shop with a cafe, restaurant, newsstand and gift shop before becoming a grocery store and fast food restaurant.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XNTKYPQ3AX2W4KB5DNVFCVCCRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=dfe3fe1b39f9ca396a1d92d13e701ac7d6f455206eeb0fc1b28933a4a8535855&width=400&height=225)
![It was acquired by Sharjah Art Foundation in 2012, and renovation work began in 2018.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GN42SRIIMTJDNNNNN2G4CX2QQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f00977355c2aeb2ac983b15b0e9f9dad0306e4d9c2427c24df847d4c0a5a6a8&width=400&height=225)
![With the renovation, parts of the structure have been restored, though new elements have also been introduced, including an outdoor space and underground community area.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ENNMP2HMSVIQVHEYCXWAKYZUVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d58347f7efcc44e11f058bac04c5a53ff6e92095b1cbbc94d1bb817dbbeeebe9&width=400&height=225)
![Major work on the building includes the removal of the annex and restoration to bring the building back to its original silhouette.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KNDGRZ5E75BPW2GJFEO77V4W6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=81b98031a2b96bac39824d768f7aeccb27862d108a7893be374e42299c24859d&width=400&height=225)
![Another addition to the space is the Launch Pad, an underground community area featuring a cafe, library, sunken courtyard filled with vegetation and activity spaces.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SW7HQ6NFU26XJLTBAKZKXEWLSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1503f89afc15e2f50509bcc63b994dc554cd5525ed6de148cc7bd78eceef0144&width=400&height=225)
![The reopening later this month will be marked by a new multimedia installation 'Nowhere Less Now 3 [flying saucer]' by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A7VT2LLZBM2UD7TYGV4DS77J4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e9024280614705d4abe113fe6807371311fb72dc4bb8231978ea518f002d7b5&width=400&height=225)
![The Flying Saucer, Sharjah, UAE, 2020. Photo: Danko Stjepanovic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZSEV2VJLPZISEDSE3CWASXB5YA.jpg?smart=true&auth=dece91860db871e4526a8e2bd8ed53fc22825d195549f664cfe88d2216f880a8&width=400&height=225)
![Built in the mid-1970s, the Brutalist structure was used as a one-stop-shop with a cafe, restaurant, newsstand and gift shop before becoming a grocery store and fast food restaurant.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XNTKYPQ3AX2W4KB5DNVFCVCCRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=dfe3fe1b39f9ca396a1d92d13e701ac7d6f455206eeb0fc1b28933a4a8535855&width=400&height=225)
![It was acquired by Sharjah Art Foundation in 2012, and renovation work began in 2018.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GN42SRIIMTJDNNNNN2G4CX2QQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f00977355c2aeb2ac983b15b0e9f9dad0306e4d9c2427c24df847d4c0a5a6a8&width=400&height=225)
![With the renovation, parts of the structure have been restored, though new elements have also been introduced, including an outdoor space and underground community area.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ENNMP2HMSVIQVHEYCXWAKYZUVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d58347f7efcc44e11f058bac04c5a53ff6e92095b1cbbc94d1bb817dbbeeebe9&width=400&height=225)
![Major work on the building includes the removal of the annex and restoration to bring the building back to its original silhouette.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KNDGRZ5E75BPW2GJFEO77V4W6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=81b98031a2b96bac39824d768f7aeccb27862d108a7893be374e42299c24859d&width=400&height=225)
![Another addition to the space is the Launch Pad, an underground community area featuring a cafe, library, sunken courtyard filled with vegetation and activity spaces.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SW7HQ6NFU26XJLTBAKZKXEWLSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1503f89afc15e2f50509bcc63b994dc554cd5525ed6de148cc7bd78eceef0144&width=400&height=225)
![The reopening later this month will be marked by a new multimedia installation 'Nowhere Less Now 3 [flying saucer]' by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A7VT2LLZBM2UD7TYGV4DS77J4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e9024280614705d4abe113fe6807371311fb72dc4bb8231978ea518f002d7b5&width=400&height=225)
Sharjah's weird and wonderful 'Flying Saucer' to reopen after two-year renovation
Acquired by Sharjah Art Foundation in 2012, the architectural landmark will now be used as an art and event space
![Alexandra Chaves](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbdf74649-e581-430d-bebb-05a009adb530.png?smart=true&auth=1aaef0ec554b632723f2f63cf60bfb8380f8e1ec18ca35283e642f53cc0bac8e&width=70&height=70)
Alexandra Chaves
September 12, 2020
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