Three Pillars of EXPO-2020
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His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo Higher Committee and Chairman of Dubai Airports and Emirates Airline, in partnership with leading property developer Emaar, have revealed the winners of one of the world’s most prestigious architectural competitions, to design the theme pavilions for Expo 2020.
Thirteen of the world’s leading architectural firms took part in a global competition, launched in July 2015 by Emaar Properties on behalf of Expo 2020. The competition sought to identify the designs for the three theme pavilions of: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, under the Expo’s 2020 theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. Pavilions and their iconic architecture are central to World Expos, and the three pavilions will be centrepieces that showcase the latest ideas, innovations and developments whilst providing the visitors with an immersive and memorable experience.
A key criterion for the competition was ensuring that the designs not only embodied one of Expo’s core themes, but also had the flexibility and longevity to live on as landmarks and functional structures after the Expo is complete in 2021.
The winning design for the Opportunity Pavilion was submitted by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), a group of architects, designers, builders and thinkers based in Copenhagen and New York. Their design philosophy reflects a belief that contemporary urban life is a result of the confluence of cultural exchange, global economic trends and communication technologies. BIG are known for its innovative approach to architecture and are currently working on the design of a new headquarters for Google.
Foster + Partners, the internationally renowned practice, based in London, submitted the winning proposal for the Mobility Pavilion. Their design drew on nearly four decades of pioneering designs including Dubai’s The Index building, and the masterplan for Masdar City.
The winning design for the Sustainability Pavilion, which will become a long term ‘cluster’ centre promoting innovative technologies, was submitted by Grimshaw Architects. The firm designed the Eden project in Cornwall, UK, and is a leader in the field of sustainable architecture. The three pavilions will form centrepieces of the two square kilometre Expo site, surrounding the central Al Wasl meeting plaza, the figurative and literal heart of Expo 2020.
Dubai has been selected as the host city for the 2020 World Expo, besting bids from Turkey, Brazil and Russia. More than 25 million is expected to attend during the Expo’s short, six-month duration. This will be the first time a Middle Eastern city to host this international exhibition in its 160-year history. This means HOK will now move forward as lead designer by refining the site’s 438-hectare master plan, which was inspired by Dubai’s “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” Expo theme.
EXPO 2020 DUBAI
