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A pavilion designed to look like it’s made of snow is Finnished product for Expo 2020 Dubai

- PATRICK RYAN

Finland unveiled its pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai, with a design inspired by the snow that covers the country’s landscape in winter.

The building, called Snow Cape, is designed to resemble a white tent made of snow.

Snow Cape will focus on the themes of nature, innovation and sustainabi­lity.

The pavilion will incorporat­e elements of Finnish and Arab culture, beginning with the main entrance that parts from the centre to give the impression of a Bedouin tent.

“Within the complex and visually noisy Expo environmen­t, Finland Pavilion offers clarity and serenity,” Expo 2020 Dubai said.

“The pavilion combines Finnish natural design and innovation with Arabic visual features. Finland has a unique and extensive tradition of design and architectu­re and from outside the shape is simple but refined.”

Finnish components and materials played an important role in the design of the pavilion, which will feature a large wooden space, called the Gorge, carved into the middle of the building.

“This offers Expo visitors a pleasantly cool and shady retreat. The Gorge also relates to the unique Finnish history of innovation, which often requires thinking outside the box and an element of surprise,” Expo organisers said.

“The surprise is the wooden heart and exhibition­s inside.”

The Nordic design represents how closely nature is intertwine­d with Finland – often described as the land of a thousand lakes – and fits in with Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

The pavilion will be built by a team of five companies, including a Finnish architectu­re group and a Swiss constructi­on company.

Expo 2020 Dubai will attract 25 million visitors, with an unpreceden­ted 70 per cent of these predicted to come from outside the UAE.

More than 180 countries are to take part in the event which organisers describe as a “festival of human ingenuity”.

The pavilion will incorporat­e elements of Finnish and Arab culture, beginning with its entrance that parts to give the impression of a Bedouin tent

 ?? Expo 2020 Dubai. ?? The Nordic nation drew upon its design tradition to create its Expo 2020 display
Expo 2020 Dubai. The Nordic nation drew upon its design tradition to create its Expo 2020 display

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