The Singapore Pavilion has introduced an experiential journey through its lushly-landscaped spaces that epitomise Singapore’s vision of becoming a City in Nature at Expo 2020 Dubai which has opened to the public on 1 October, 2021.

Themed as Nature. Nurture. Future, Singapore-based firm WOHA-designed pavilion will provide a space to promote the nation’s sustainability through an immersive pavilion journey.

Within the pavilion, visitors encounter a unique digital ecosystem that integrates nature, architecture, art and technology. During this time, visitors will encounter a nightly light show, film screenings and more throughout the six- month event. 

Video by Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Postponed one year due to the ongoing pandemic worldwide, Expo 2020 Dubai, themed as Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, has opened to the public on 1 October, 2021 under strict pandemic regulations and will be running until 31 March 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The Singapore Pavilion is blended with an immerse nature, showcasing more than 170 varieties of plants, becomes the nature itself, while the pavilion almost disappears within the nature. 

Canopy Walk. Image © Quentin Sim

In addition, from a mesmerising light display inspired by our connection with nature, to thought-provoking conversations on sustainable and liveable cities of the future interspersed with films that present Singapore through its people, heritage and stories. 

Alongside a series of lushly-landscaped spaces, the pavilion comes alive with a line-up of multimedia exhibits and engaging programmes that people from all walks of life can enjoy.

Ground Garden. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

"The realisation of the Singapore Pavilion is important for Singapore, as it provides us with the platform to connect with people from around the world and engage in important future-shaping conversations," said Larry Ng, Commissioner-General of the Singapore Pavilion.

"As visitors experience the Pavilion through its welcoming spaces, digital exhibits and programmes, we hope that they will gain new perspectives on how nature and technology can be integrated into our urban spaces, and see the possibilities of how our cities can be designed to be sustainable, liveable and resilient," added Ng.

Larry Ng described the Singapore Pavilion as "a social hub" and continued that "Singapore will continue to remain connected with the world."

"The Pavilion signals our readiness to lead and participate in conversations, as well as to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas between our people, innovators and businesses. We look forward to welcoming the world into our Pavilion, and igniting ideas through greater collaborations between our nations to overcome the global challenges of today," Ng added.

Multi-layered greenery. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

A multi-faceted exploration of Singapore’s sustainability journey

Urban realities of our time are overlapped in different layers that makes every space of the pavilion surprising for its visitors. 

Designed as "an architectural feat", a green, living self-sufficient ecosystem within the pavilion embodies the nation’s journey towards growth, sustainability and resilience while confronting some of the most complex and challenging urban realities of our time.

Beyond the green architecture of the pavilion, this guiding ethos of sustainable development is also distilled into multimedia showcases. 

Climbing robot in action. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

The Singapore Pavilion is divided into three verdant thematic cones: Rainforest Cone, City Cone, and Flower Cone. For example, at the City Cone, visitors are taken on an immersive voyage, in a commissioned cinematic experience by leading Singaporean creative Brian Gothong Tan. 

Climbing Robot. Image © Quentin Sim

Mapped onto the interior sloping wall of the City Cone, the panoramic film layers animated matte paintings, drone footage and hundreds of videos to depict environmental challenges faced by global urbanisation, and the innovative urban solutions Singapore has realised to create a city where the built environment co-exists in harmony with nature.

Thematic cones. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

As night falls, visitors are enthralled as the Singapore Pavilion comes to life with an enchanting light display. Designed by Singapore lighting design practice Light Collab, the nightly Biomorphosis light show is a spectacle of luminosity, shadows and sound that reflects Singapore as a green and sustainable city. 

Rhythmically pulsing along to a soundscape composed by Singaporean musician Don Richmond, the layers of lights illuminate and accentuate the Pavilion’s green landscape, evoking images of an enchanted forest and beckoning visitors to wander in and explore the seemingly living pavilion.

Ground Garden. Image © Quentin Sim

The pavilion is enriched with multiple daily programs 

Other daily programme highlights over the six-month duration include Stories of Singapore at the Sky Market – curated screenings of award-winning documentaries and short films where visitors can get Singaporean perspectives on the most pressing challenges we face as a world today. 

The program highlights today's pressing issues such as climate change, sustainable development, technological advancement and food resilience, as well as glimpses into our history, heritage and culture.

Visitors looking to get a closer look behind the design and the inner workings of the Singapore Pavilion can also opt for a delightful Story Walk, a tour with the Pavilion’s friendly guides. Taking place four times daily on weekday afternoons, storytelling guides will enthrall visitors with anecdotes, facts and figures about the Pavilion, Singapore and its people.

Biomorphosis light show. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Singapore’s cinematic culture is emphasized with Singapore Film Night series

Within the pavilion, Singapore’s cinematic culture is also emphasized as part of the Singapore Film Night series, a monthly showcase of critically acclaimed local films. Visitors can anticipate films such as the family drama Ilo Ilo, the first Singaporean feature film to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival; the documentary The Songs We Sang, which captures the journey of the uniquely Singaporean genre of Xinyao music; the dark comedy Tiong Bahru Social Club; and 7 Letters, the emotive anthology of cinematic ‘love letters’ to Singapore by seven illustrious Singaporean filmmakers.

Rainforest Cone in the day. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Visitors and business delegates are invited to engage in in-depth conversations on how sustainability and innovation can unlock new opportunities at the Singapore Business Series, where enterprises share their knowledge, expertise, and innovations with a global audience. 

These sessions will take place in a hybrid webinar format which will also allow virtual participants to be part of the programme.

Canopy Walk at sunset. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Singapore Pavilion facade at night. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Ground Garden at sunset. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Concealed lighting at the Canopy Walk of the Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Image © Light Collab

Grow lights. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Dipterocarp sculpture at Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai at night. Image © Light Collab

Terrarium at the Flower Cone of the Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Image © Goh Yu Han

Arena at Sky Market. Image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai has opened today, 1 October and will be on view until 31 March 2022 in Dubai. 

You can see other pavilions on WAC's United Arab Emirates Country Page.  

Top image © Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai

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