World Expo dubai 2020 is counting down

The theme of Expo 2020 is "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". The Expo was postponed to this year due to the pandemic and will be held between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Expo dubai 2020, the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, aims to pool the strength of the international community and promote global cooperation to create a better future. Nearly 200 countries will participate in the Expo and it is expected to receive 25 million visitors.

The expo will be located in the southern part of Dubai, and its master plan, designed by US firm HOK, will look like a butterfly. It will be centered on the Al Wasl Plaza designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. The square has the world's largest unsupported dome and is the meeting place of the expo's three themed areas and their associated venues.

Al Wasl square

Al Wasl Plaza was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. "Al Wasl" is the former name of Dubai, which also means "connection" in Arabic. Connecting the three themed areas and other major areas, including the Dubai Metro line and the Uae Pavilion, the square is literally the "beating heart" of the city through seven entrances and exits.

The building is 130 meters wide and the dome is 67.5 meters high, with a total weight of 2,544 tons, equivalent to about 25 blue whales. The dome of the building houses 252 projectors that can be seen by visitors inside and outside the building, making it the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world. The 550-ton steel dome enclothe 724,000 cubic meters of space, almost the size of 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

More than 250 laser projectors illuminated the dome in bright ruby colors in a stunning visual display to celebrate the launch of the UAE's Kibo probe into Mars orbit on February 9, 2021 and the start of its scientific mission to explore the red planet.

During the Expo, Al Wasl Square will create unique experiences of other interstellar worlds in more ways on Earth.

Three theme pavilions

"Mobility" Pavilion

Designed by Foster + Partners, the Pavilion is a cascading shamrock structure surrounded by an illuminated plaza. Its streamlined design is technological, with flexible and dynamic lighting echoing the pavilion's theme of "mobility". The pavilion has the world's largest passenger elevator, which can carry more than 160 people at a time.

Sustainability Pavilion

A series of satellite dishes designed by architects Grimshaw will serve as the Expo's "sustainability" pavilion, which will serve as a hub for promoting innovative technology. The pavilion design draws inspiration from photosynthesis to create a structure that dynamically captures solar energy and collects fresh water from the air, demonstrating the building's ability to sustain itself even in extreme climatic conditions.

Opportunity Pavilion

Danish firm BIG was commissioned to design the "Opportunity" pavilion. The theme of the "Rope and Light" pavilion is a metaphor for people coming together to contribute to human progress, giving people a sense of accomplishment and encouraging them to keep moving forward.

The great powers

The China pavilion

China pavilion is one of the largest pavilions in dubai expo 2020. China pavilion and opportunities to build a community of human destiny - innovation as the theme, stick to the dubai world expo theme, integration innovation and opportunity, the communication and cooperation, development and sustainability of the global focus, reveal "area" initiative to bring opportunities for development and cooperation of countries along the potential, fully embodies the global community of common development, build human destiny China advocates.

The Chinese Pavilion, named "Light of China", is shaped with Chinese lanterns, symbolizing reunion and light, meaning reunion and communication. It combines traditional Chinese elements with modern architectural concepts and modern technology. The main building of China Pavilion adopts traditional Chinese architectural elements such as bracket set and Chinese flower pane to make it look like a luxurious lantern from afar.

Uae National Pavilion

The structure of the roof resembles an outstretched wing, reminiscent of a falcon flying in the sky. Santiago Calatrava's use of falcon wings echoes the importance of falcons in Uae culture.

The PAVILION covers an area of more than 15,000 square meters and has four floors, including a top reception hall of 1,717 square meters. A 588-square-metre mezzanine will be used for supporting functions, while the remaining two floors will contain 12,000 square metres of exhibition space, designed under the theme "Connecting minds, Creating the future".

It will be an enduring landmark of the UAE, both during the Expo and in its heritage.

The pavilion

The Swiss pavilion at Expo dubai 2020 is entitled "Reflections" and is part of the Expo's Opportunities section, showcasing Switzerland's beautiful scenery and leading technology. Designed by OOS Architektekten, set by Bellprat Partner and landscape by Lorenz Eugster, the creative team behind "Reflections" has created a bold architectural statement with the pavilion's facade, Immerse visitors in an exploration of The Swiss landscape and cutting-edge innovation.

The Swiss Pavilion is a monumental cube structure that combines tradition and innovation. The design is a tribute to the makeshift Bedouin tents, which stand on an ancient dried-out river in the desert and are surrounded by date palms up to nine metres high. The pavilion's design highlights the relationship between East and West, with a reflective funnel-shaped facade announcing its unique presence.

Qatar pavilion

Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava has unveiled the design for the Qatar pavilion for the UAE's 2020 Dubai Expo. Inspired by the four elements of Qatar's national emblem, the Qatar Pavilion will comprise two main galleries and exhibition Spaces, providing an engaging, inclusive and interactive environment for visitors.

The Belgian pavilion

The Belgian pavilion at Expo dubai 2020, named 'Green Arch', highlights the emergence of interconnected green cities through its reflections on industry, technology and science. The pavilion, part of the transport section, consists of an arched flowered stone that combines "The Latin romanticism of art with the Anglo-Saxon technical precision of industry". Designed by Belgian architects ASSAR architects and Vincent Callebaut architects, the pavilion is represented by BelExpo, an autonomous department under the Belgian Ministry of Economy.

Italian pavilion

Carlo Ratti Associati has unveiled details of its winning design for the Italian Pavilion at expo dubai 2020 in collaboration with Italo Rota, Matteo Gatto and F&M Ingegneria. Inspired by Dubai's maritime heritage, the pavilion will see three sailboats arriving from the sea lifted and inverted to form the pavilion's roof.

The pavilion, called "Beauty of Sailing", aims to explore new ways to "communicate with each other through beauty", reflecting the theme of Italy's participation in Expo dubai 2020. The pavilion also pays tribute to the long history of explorers with an exhibition entitled "Sail the Sea and Share the Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean".

This article is based on ArchDaily and GBE Architecture Forum. Please contact the original author. This article is edited and published by Lederlighting.

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