ARCHITECTURE
WINNER UAE Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE, by Calatrava International
The UAE pavilion, the largest country showcase at Expo 2020 Dubai, trumps all others, not because it is the host nation’s, but because it gives a tangible form to the audacious vision of the country and its people.
When the Santiago Calatrava helmed design was first revealed, the world was awed by the promise of the Falcon-inspired building with kinetic wings that would open and close.
Cut to 2021 and the 28 movable winged panels fully open within three minutes, revealing a surface grid of photovoltaic panels that fuels the structure. Inside, under an Oculus skylight which mirrors the design of the Expo 2020 logo, a sphere-shaped auditorium serves as the focal point of the visitor experience.
From its masterplan inspired by a radiant sun and design elements contextualised from a traditional Bedouin tent, to a sensory garden dotted with native species that honour the UAE’s heritage and a focus on sustainability – the structure incorporates innovations that reduce water consumption and optimize indoor air quality – the UAE Pavilion is a perfectly poised response to a brief requesting a building that could embody the spirit of a dynamic nation. calatrava.com