Latvian architecture firm Malitis Architects has unveiled its first prize-winning proposal for the Latvian Pavilion in Expo Dubai 2020 which will be held between October 20, 2020-April 10, 2021. 

Dubbed as Smart, Sounding Forest, the project has won the 1st prize for the Latvian Pavilion in Expo Dubai 2020 in which the competition consisted of 2 phases. After competition 2nd phase, another proposed scheme was selected to be built in Expo Dubai 2020.

The screen-like pavilion will lead visitors to its picturesque world of Latvian nature, culture, and technologies and "speak" to them through sound and experience. 

Acting like an instrument, it challenges visitors to take part in the creation of the sound of the shared, innovative and humane world of the future. When visitors enter in or surround it, they will be welcomed to the landscape of Latvian sound and identity, equipped with artificial intelligent. 

"As soon as a visitor makes a sound, the forest responds. The interaction of the forest and the human can also take place via a specially created application on the smartphone," said Malitis Architects.

"The path of the exposition leads through stories about Latvian nature, culture, technologies, infrastructure and innovations." 

The forest will invite the visitor on a journey from primary values to technologies of the future – from the floor of the forest to the tops of the trees. The exposition is available in a physical, expanded, and virtual form. 

On the ground floor, the architects used a green landscape, forest and perennial grasses to define the space. Then visitors will be able to us a wooden pathway (or exposition path) to climb up the installation. 

At the center, there is a core tubular structure supporting all functions. On the upper level, the installation is dressed with a sound instrument shading reed-pipes and a metal support structure is placed on top it.

The architects hang 176 musical strings from the canopy and 88 aluminum rods will be controlled by the visitors and another 88, controlled by a computer, answer to what is happening.

"The lightness and strength of the metal are counterbalanced by the aesthetic and ecological features of Latvian wood in the finishing and furniture," said the studio. 

Hundreds of pavilions will feature interactive exhibits, live entertainment, memorable meeting spaces, quirky hangouts and plenty more in Dubai Expo 2020 under theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".

All images courtesy of Mailitis Architects

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