BIG, foster + partners and grimshaw reveal pavilion designs for dubai expo 2020
image © BIG architects / expo 2020 dubai

in 2013, it was announced that dubai would be the next city after milan to host the world expo in 2020. the six month fair will be held under the theme of ‘connecting minds, creating the future’. it has already been unveiled that international firms such as bjarke ingels group / BIG, foster + partners and grimshaw architects have received the go-ahead with their pavilion proposals celebrating the sub-themes of: mobility, sustainability and opportunity.

the danish firm will design the opportunity pavilion
image © BIG architects / expo 2020 dubai

each chosen by his highness sheikh ahmed bin saeed al maktoum, he comments ‘after careful study and consideration, three designs stood out, amidst tough competition, as great future structures that will mark our expo as exceptional.’ the brief called for pavilions to capture one of the sub-themes of the expo, but also be creations that will be flexible enough to stand as landmarks after the event finishes. BIG’s sculptural pavilion for ‘opportunity’ will feature a dynamic form of fins that lifts up at the core to a garden landscape and restaurant within.

foster + partners currently have a number of ongoing projects in the UAE
image © foster + partners / expo 2020 dubai

 for foster + partners, their proposal for the ‘mobility’ pavilion ‘drew on nearly four decades of pioneering designs including dubai’s the index building, and the masterplan for masdar city.’

the event will bring to life the theme ‘connecting minds, creating the future’
image © foster + partners / expo 2020 dubai

lastly, the favored design for the ‘sustainability’ pavilion – developed to become a long term ‘cluster’ center promoting innovative technologies – was submitted by british firm grimshaw architects. once completed, the three structures will surround the central al wasl meeting plaza, which will be situated at the core of the 200 hectare expo site.

grimshaw’s scheme comprised of discs captures the theme of ‘sustainability’

the brief called for the structures to embody a flexibility and longevity

the three pavilions will surround the central al wasl meeting plaza that includes a gated 200-hectare expo area

mar 14, 20