Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava has shared new images of the UAE Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai which will be held from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The 15,000-square-metre pavilion is designed as "a symbolic interpretation of the flow of movement", the pavilion is elaborated through the articulation of carefully planned lines and crafted spaces.

The UAE Pavilion is aimed to serve as a national monument and an iconic destination, creating immersive experiences for guests to discover the UAE’s rich history and dynamic future. 

Calatrava's design acts as a mesh that will harmoniously interact with its surrounding landscape. The pavilion's roof is made of floating and movable wings intended to draw visitors towards the shaded arcade wrapping along the perimeter wall. 

Structural inspiration: Wings that depict the flow of movement 

Calatrava created structural wings that composes the roof as the most impressive element of the UAE Pavilion and the roof comprises a hybrid system between a shell and a portal frame, composed of 28 wings. 

The wings can be opened within 3 minutes, completing a range of movements, between 110 and 125 degrees. The rotation of the wings is driven by a total number of 46 specialized and synchronized hydraulic actuators, functioning as pistons. Once activated, hydraulic oil is pushed through the actuators, extending the pistons, and opening the wings to their full capacity. 

The energy-conscious elements and photovoltaic panels at the UAE Pavilion 

"We are committed to ensure that the leading practices of environmental sustainability are embedded at the heart of the design process," said Calatrava. 

"Accordingly, the UAE Pavilion is energy-conscious and integrates a range of elements and qualities of sustainable design, ensuring the longevity of the structure, to withstand the test of time," he added. 

The pavilion features sustainable elements such as photovoltaic (PV) panels that have been produced in the UAE, have been integrated into the roof structure bringing the entire building to life, with the opening of the wings. 

Beyond the notion of aesthetics, the wings shelter and protect a composition of curved and straight PV panels when they are closed from rain and sandstorms and upon opening up, the panels are able to absorb as much sunlight as possible to harvest energy which is returned to the main power grid. 

"The UAE Pavilion has been designed and built to meet LEED Platinum Certification (based on LEED 2009 standards for New Construction)," stated Calatrava International Architects & Engineers.

"In addition, respecting ecological limits and natural resource constraints, it will also be compliant with the Dubai Green Building Regulations and Specifications (DGBR)."

The Oculus – An architectural feature 

The Oculus skylight at the apex of the roof of the UAE Pavilion mirrors the form of the Expo 2020 logo and is a fixed insulated glazing unit system, with a diameter of 12 meters, placing the UAE Pavilion at a height of 27.8 meters. As an architectural feature that offers a skylight opening, the Oculus also has a functional  quality where its surrounding grilles open for smoke extraction (in case of an accidental fire). 

An Auditorium at the core of the UAE Pavilion 

At the heart of the UAE Pavilion is a faceted sphere with an outer diameter of approximately 25 meters and an overall height of approximately 20 meters which houses an Auditorium. A specialist lifting platform supports the interior seating of the Auditorium and transports the audience from one floor to another while experiencing audio-visual shows. 

The Auditorium serves as both a centerpiece and a functional space, with a capacity that accommodates 200 people.

Landscaped areas of cultural importance to the UAE 

Surrounding the UAE Pavilion, and integrated throughout the space, are landscaped areas, with over 5,600 plants from 12 different species, of which 2,350 are considered to be of cultural importance to the UAE, as well as over 80 trees, with approximately 45 of the trees holding cultural importance for the UAE. 

Evoking a sense of pride in a multisensory setup 

Calatrava sought to evoke an array of emotions, as guests immerse themselves in the UAE Pavilion’s architectural structure and landscaped  areas. They then enter the Pavilion and move through the designed spaces, where they are surrounded by multisensory experiences, both from an architectural standpoint, as well as integrated cinematic features.

Collaborating to envision and complete the UAE Pavilion, Dr. Calatrava and his son, Micael, who is based in the UAE, work closely together on the project.

"We shared similar visions with the stakeholders involved, and many suggestions that were brought to the table were deciphered and integrated to the overall design," said Micael Calatrava. 

"This heightened the diversity of viewpoints in the creative process, allowing us to push the limits and challenge one another, to ensure that every angle, line and detail was accounted for and that the result is the best it can be, both for our client and for the visitors of the UAE Pavilion."

With a growing office in the UAE, the Calatrava team believe that close proximity to the country and the client allows for the channeling of the true intended nature of the project from the first sketch. 

"Our design process is similar to a journey that continuously unfolds with every sketch. Every creative journey we embark on, is unique for us, and this is demonstrated through the diverse portfolio of our architecture and design practice. Each project draws inspiration from the neighboring urban fabric from which it rises, to serve as an extension of the cosmopolitan city, as we have done with the UAE Pavilion," he added.

Calatrava is also designing the Qatar Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The project is already at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed next month. 

Top image courtesy of MOPA. 

All images courtesy of Calatrava unless otherwise stated. 

> via Calatrava International Architects & Engineers