Colorado-based architecture firm Fentress Architects has been selected to design the United States of America’s Pavilion for the Dubai Expo 2020, which is expected to draw more than 25 million visitors to the emirate and wider UAE.  

The project will be developed wit a consortium partner Big Things Group, a world leader in building, funding, and operating major expositions and public diplomacy events. 

The yet-to-be-revealed project builds on Fentress’ experience in the region where the “Dancing Sisters” mixed-use towers opened in 2012. The third-largest global event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to draw over 25 million visitors from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

Aerial view of the Dubai World Expo 2020 master plan at night. Image courtesy of HOK

Dubai was selected to host the 2020 World Expo in 2013. The Expo’s overarching theme is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” with sub-themes focusing on Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability. Pavilion USA 2020’s winning design plans for the USA Pavilion were based on the theme “What Moves You” and will feature highlights of American culture, leading technological revolutions in mobility, and much more.

Fentress’ design scheme for the U.S. Pavilion will propose a powerful metaphor, reflecting the dynamism of American culture and values of ingenuity, progress, and innovation. The team behind the new concept is a consortium of top individuals and agencies who will work together to make the USA Pavilion a showcase of the innovation, creativity and diversity that defines the United States.

A closer look at the pavilions on the masterplan. Image courtesy of HOK

"Working across the U.S. has given Fentress Architects diverse perspective on the attributes and attitudes that Americans share. We will coalesce these characteristics into a single architectural expression at Expo 2020 Dubai, representing the entirety of the U.S. and its design prowess to an international audience," said Curtis Fentress, principal in charge of design at Fentress Architects.

HOK was selected to design a masterplan in 2013, the 1,082-acre site will feature three separate pavilions symbolizing opportunity, sustainability and mobility, with “innovation pods” and “best practice areas” in each thematic zone. HOK teamed with Populous and Arup on the master plan.

Top image courtesy of HOK

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