Scheduled to open in 2009, the new Islamic Art Department of the Louvre Museum will be the outcome of an innovating architectural project designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini.The Islamic Art collections will be housed in a prestigious and historic space: the Cour Visconti, located in the centre of the south wing of the museum's palace.

A shimmering glass wave hanging over the wing's courtyard will allow natural light to show through the new section's environment, which will be composed of a light-filled ground level and a second underground level, where sensitive objects will be held.

This is a project of major cultural significance as the Louvre will display Islamic art masterpieces from the seventh to the nineteenth century, including an outstanding collection of carpets of sheer beauty.