Spanish architect-engineer Santiago Calatrava has been selected to design for the UAE Pavilion for Dubai World Expo 2020 by The National Media Council. Calatrava's bird wing structure is inspired by 'a falcon in flight'. Santiago Calatrava's proposal selected from 11 conceptual projects submitted by the world’s most renowned architectural firms around the world.

The UAE Pavilion is located at the centre of the 200-hectare exhibition zone facing the Al Wasl Plazaand the architect's project will represent the UAE at Expo 2020 in Dubai to  the 25 million visitors and participants from over 180 nations. It will cover up to 15,000 square meters at the exhibition venue and will provide numerous exhibition areas, an auditorium, food and beverage outlets and VIP lounges. It will be designed to meet LEED Platinum sustainable building standards.

It will cover up to 15,000 square meters at the exhibition venue. Image © Santiago Calatrava

''I am deeply honoured that our practice has been chosen to design the national pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020, a project of national and global significance. I am confident that the final design will be a symbol of the bold and daring spirit of the UAE, reflected in what is poised to be the most inclusive and global Expo in history'' said architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava.

 The main theme of Expo 2020 is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and it is conceived how well it captured a distinct Emirati feel and a balance between the UAE’s past and future. After a 7-month design competition managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, Calatrava's proposal selected to represent the UAE pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020. 

A closer view to the wings of Calatrava's proposal. Image © Santiago Calatrava

''The pavilion will be one of the Expo's greatest icons. The design will evoke the pioneering spirit and power of connections that transformed the UAE from a collection of small, desert communities, into a global connection point. The UAE pavilion will become an important cornerstone in our site and will have a legacy plan that will reflect our hopes and ambitions for the many years to come'' said Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai. 

The Dubai Expo 2020 focuses on three aspects of the theme; opportunity: developing human capital to stimulate progress; the necessity of financial capital as a resource to support growth; and partnerships as a primary driver of innovation and employment. Expo 2020 will explore a number of facets of mobility: empowering individuals through physical mobility; facilitating access and distribution of goods and resources; and enhancing virtual connectivity through information technology. The Expo's exhibits will examine the role of natural and built habitats in ensuring human well-being and community resilience; and the need to use resources without compromising the ability of the planet to sustain future generations, as part of the sustainability sub theme.

Areal view at the exhibition venue. Image © Santiago Calatrava

Masdar was appointed program manager by the National Media Council for the UAE Pavilion on the basis of the renewable energy company’s track record of successfully delivering highly innovative and sustainable projects, including the LEED Platinum-certified Siemens Middle East Headquarters.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Al Ramahi said, ''We will capitalise on our experience developing Masdar City, which is on a journey to being the most sustainable urban development in the world, to ensure the delivery of innovative, high-performance pavilion and community space that embraces the Expo’s themes of mobility, opportunity and sustainability''

Top Image © Santiago Calatrava

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