The Natural Science Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, US, has announced it will open its SciQuarium in early summer this year, the first phase in a three stage investment programme to continue over the next three years. Natural Science Center employees, Moser-Mayer Phoenix & Associates and Cambridge Seven Associates have contributed to the design of the US$10m (7.5m euro, £6.3m) project, which is dominated by a 22,000sq ft aquarium. It

A new national museum will launch in Tartu, Estonia in late 2016. Located in the city's Raadi district, the Estonia National Museum (ENM) will be funded by the Estonian Government. Director of the museum, Estonian politician Tonis Lukas, said that he hoped to sign a building contract in the next few weeks with construction expected to begin in March 2013. Designed by architects Dan Dorell, Lina Ghotmeh and Tsuyoshi, the

The first phase of the National Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio, US will be unveiled on 26 January, following an 18-month long revamp. To be opened in stages, the museum's first phase includes a renovated exhibition space, which will feature the new installation "How I Got Over." The mixed media exhibition will reflect the African American experience and focus on three themes of celebration, spirituality and protest. A second exhibition

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, US, has launched the next phase of its US$300m (225m euro, £187m) expansion. The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Centre, which cost US$35m (26m euro, £22m), tells the story of America's industrial capability during the war years and explores what it was like to participate in World War II on land, at sea or in the air. It showcases the macro artifacts

The capital city of Arizona, US will be receiving a new addition to its skyline in the form of a 430ft (131m) high Phoenix Tower. Developer Novawest LLC and Danish architecture firm Bjark Ingels Group (BIG) unveiled plans for the observation tower, which will be located in downtown Phoenix on the Science and Technology campus. The principle feature of the tower - which will have a total floor space of

Ahead of its opening on 1 February, details of The View from the Shard visitor experience at London's tallest skyscraper have been revealed. The attraction's viewing platforms sit on levels 69 and 72 of the 1,016ft (310m) landmark building - developed by Sellar Property in association with LBQ Ltd as part of a £2bn regeneration project for the London Bridge area. Starting at the ground floor galleries, visitors to The

Pritzker Prize-winner architect Frank Gehry will make his Latin American debut in August with the opening of a new museum in Panama City. Located in the birth country of Canadian born Gehry's wife, Bertha, the new BioMuseo aims to educate about biodiversity and the raise awareness of the significance of the creation of the Isthmus of Panama. The museum is funded by the Amador foundation with scientific support by the

Dubai-based construction firm Arabtec Holdings has been awarded a US$653m contract to build the Abu Dhabi branch of France's Louvre museum, according to Reuters. Awarded by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company, the contract will see construction begin immediately with the museum expected to open in 2015. Abu Dhabi Louvre was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and will be located on the Saadiyat Island's Cultural District complex. The

Planning permission has been granted for Lightwater Valley to build 106 holiday units at its theme park in Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK. The £5m resort development will be set on Lightwater Valley's existing grounds, which cover 175 acres and feature Europe's longest rollercoaster, The Ultimate, among its 33 rides. The park was denied planning permission for 204 caravans and 136 lodges in 2007 as it was deemed the development would

An eco-friendly visitors’ centre in Bournemouth, UK, will showcase the history of the region – from the Stone Age to the present day – when it opens in time for summer. Construction is currently underway on the £1m Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, which will house an exhibition space, a retail outlet and workspace for staff, volunteers and community groups. Green energy features will include a green roof, 16 photo-voltaic solar

Switzerland-based art gallery Hauser & Wirth has announced it will expand operations to derelict Durslade Farm in Somerset, UK come 2014. The gallery, which was founded in Zurich in 1992 by Iwan and Manuela Wirth and Ursula Hauser, represents emerging and established contemporary artists including Paul McCarthy, Roni Horn and Mary Heilmann. The Hauser & Wirth Somerset website states the gallery, which is expected to attract 40,000 visitors a year,

The Visions of China theme park, planned for a former opencast coal mine in the Rother Valley Country Park, is one step closer to development with a lease agreement signed between the local council and developers. The proposed 120-acre attraction is projected to cost more than £100m and would showcase Chinese architecture, garden design and culture and customs. A Rotherham Borough Council spokesperson confirmed the authority has entered agreements for

A Zaha Hadid-designed art gallery at Michigan State University opened its doors last month. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum will be an educational resource, as well as a community and cultural hub, and features work from Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol. “Great art deserves great architecture, and so does a great university," says MSU president, Lou Anna Simon. "The Broad Museum's bold concept and design reflect

An interactive theatre show, which includes an animated whale, is the latest attraction at Korean theme park Lotte World. The Seoul-based theme park collaborated with Hollywood design firm the Goddard Group to develop the animated underwater experience, which will open in the Aqua Plaza section of the park in January 2013. Korea's Rayglyph is providing technology and content for the show and producer W.G. Choi said the attraction, which allows

AV specialist Electrosonic has acquired Global Immersion, a designer of high performance digital immersive theater attractions. The deal, completed yesterday (10 December) will allow Electrosonic to offer digital immersive solutions across the theme park, museum, giant screen cinema and planetarium markets. Jim Bowie, president of Electrosonic Group, said the deal was a significant strategic move for both companies. He said: "As a single operation, we will service an even broader

Paris' famous Louvre museum and gallery is set to open a satellite gallery in Lens, Northern France next week. The Louvre-Lens will exhibit more than 200 artworks by masters including Botticelli, Raphael, Poussin, Rembrandt, Goya, Ingres and Delacroix at its 50-acre site, situated in a small mining town near Lille. Artworks will be displayed chronologically with different cultures and civilizations juxtaposed so classical Greek works might sit next to pieces

A new city is to be built in Dubai which will feature the world's largest mall, a theme park complex and 100 hotels. Plans for the new Mohammed bin Rashid city were revealed by prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. As well as the gigantic Mall of the World, the city will also house 100 hotels, a 455-acre park and an international family attraction in

Abu Dhabi will play host to a US$340m (263m euro, £212m) sculpture constructed entirely from oil barrels. The Mastaba, set to be the world's biggest permanent sculpture, will be 150m (492ft) high and 225m (738ft) wide with 60-degree slanted walls. The attraction, created by Bulgarian-born artist Christo, is to be erected in Al Gharbia, 160km (100miles) south of the city of Abu Dhabi. The Mastaba will be made from 410,000

Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park has opened a Hello Kitty Town at its Malaysian resort. Located in Nusajaya Joho, the Hello Kitty Town is the first of its kind outside Japan and features walk-through experiences, interactive activities and Kitty-theme rides. The Town will house an interactive Black Wonder themed experience, a Hello Kitty House and the ‘Purfect' stage with live performances by Hello Kitty and friends My Melody and Little

The US$185m (£116m, 114.5m euro) Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, US is set to open in December. Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Thom Mayne, the museum will feature five floors of public space with 11 permanent exhibit halls, including a children's museum and a hall to host travel exhibitions. The museum also houses an expansive glass-enclosed lobby and rooftop deck, a 3D digital cinema and an auditorium.

The Jewish Museum Berlin in the German capital has unveiled its latest extension - the Academy – designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. The 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) Academy stands on the site of Berlin's one-time flower market. Located adjacent to the museum, it houses a library, archives and education centre and offers additional office, storage and support space for the museum. Daniel Libeskind's latest design links the building to the

The restoration of the Eastern Wing at the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia is set to be complete by 2014. The Eastern Wing previously belonged to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation will be used for exhibiting art of the 19th-21st century. Located in the General Staff Building, the restoration project is a result of joint initiatives of the State Hermitage and the government of the Russian

A sand sculpture theme park is set to open on disused land near Brighton Marina after Brighton and Hove City Council approved the temporary use of the former Black Rock swimming pool site. A council initiative invited developers to come forward with ideas for temporary uses and the Brighton Sand Sculpture Festival (BSSF) was selected as offering the best chance of boosting the city's economy. Other proposals considered were a

Musée du Louvre in Paris, France and Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco, US are set to collaborate on a series of exhibitions over the next five years. The international accord includes plans to share significant works of art from both museums' collections with audiences in San Francisco and Paris. The partnership will see collaborations on publications, art conservation projects and public education programs. The two institutions will work together

A luxury integrated resort - Desaru Coast - is set to open on the eastern coast of Jahor, Malaysia in 2015. Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) - established by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, an investment-holding arm of the government of Malaysia - is developing the 3,900-acre resort. Desaru Coast will launch in phases and will feature an array of luxury hotels and golf residences as well as theme and water parks,

Hemingway Design has been appointed to design the new Dreamland theme park in Margate, Kent. Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, who made their name as fashion designers, have been tasked with creating the park’s overall scheme. Stage one of the project to transform the site into a £10m heritage park is expected to open next year. Nick Laister, chair of The Dreamland Trust, said: "Wayne and Gerardine have created some truly

The Asian Civilisations Museum is set to invest S$5.5m (US$4.5m, £2.8m, 3.5m euro) in expanding its building in Empress Place, Singapore. A new wing, which is expected to open in 2015, has been funded by the Hong Leong Foundation (HLF) and is being designed by Singaporean architects GreenhilLi Consultants. Surrounded by a light-filled atrium, and connecting to galleries on three floors, the new wing is a departure from the 19th