In one of the most vibrant areas within Expo 2020 Dubai, the Spanish Pavilion absolutely attracts the attention of passers-by. Under the theme ‘Intelligence for Life’, the Spanish Pavilion takes place in the Sustainability Thematic District, right near Al Wasl Plaza designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, and the UAE Pavilion designed by Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
“Our actions will determine our future in ways we must comprehend. That’s the goal of the interactive exhibition, ‘Forest of the Intelligence’.”
A Playful and Colorful Addition to Expo 2020 Dubai
Designed by Amann-Cánovas-Maruri Studio, the pavilion seeks to convey a sense of “our ingenuity, our creativity and our innovative capacity as essential tools to preserve life and biological diversity as well as to build a sustainable future”.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
The Spanish Pavilion is surely a colorful, playful addition to Expo 2020 Dubai. It covers an area of some 5,800 square meters, comprising a series of colorful installations that take the form of cones.
These conical volumes are partially covered with ultralight and flexible photovoltaic panels designed by Spanish company The South Oracle (TSO) to cover the pavilion’s need for energy.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
Expo 2020 Dubai presents the Spanish Pavilion as a place with three main features, “iconic architecture that tempers high temperatures and highlights Spain’s links with the Arab world, art installations that lead to the theatre, where a fantastic story of collaboration is displayed, and an immersive exhibition gallery related to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
“The Spain Pavilion aims to become an example of intelligent creativity, capable of uniting people around sustainable projects in the fields of science, technology, production, education, and art.”
Expo 2020 Dubai Encourages Integrating Sustainability and Technology
In addition to the main exhibitions, the pavilion has two complementary exhibition spaces: The ‘Destellos’ exhibition takes place in the plaza under the cones, its name means ‘Sparkle’ and it comprises a series of interventions that tell stories of the Spanish contributions to the universal culture.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
On the ground level, ‘El Bosque de la Inteligencia’, meaning ‘The Forest of Intelligence’ is an exhibition that holds trees made of a material that absorbs CO2 from the air to enhance its quality.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
Moreover, a sculptural piece with three projection screens, created by Studio Daniel Canogar, will take the form of an interlocking loop suspended in the Atrium of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Spanish Pavilion. The piece is dubbed ‘El Dinamo’; ‘The Dynamo’, and it is an interactive audiovisual work made in collaboration with the composer Francisco López.
Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of MAHALA
“Every corner of the Spain Pavilion, from the materials used on its iconic facade to the furniture, and the motto of its different activities, is designed to promote a discussion around the future we want to live in and our ability to influence it.”
More Innovations at Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai started October 1st, 2020, and will last six months till the end of March 2022. The masterplan of the World Expo is created by HOK, and it features three Thematic Districts designed by Hopkins Architects that follow the three main themes of Expo 2020 Dubai; Sustainability, Opportunity, and Mobility, with an aim of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.
The long-awaited international event showcases architectural works designed by high-profile firms from around the world, including The Sustainability Pavilion by Grimshaw Architects, The UAE and Qatar Pavilions created by Santiago Calatrava, and the Monumental Gates of Expo 2020 Dubai designed by Asif Khan.
Much like the Spanish Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai features out-of-the-box ideas, including The UK Pavilion by Es Devlin that uses Artificial Intelligence to create poems and display them on the structure’s facade. You can check here Arch2O’s list of the 10 must-see pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Throughout the six months duration of the Expo, the Spanish Pavilion will host a total of 32 companies, more than 200 artists, and around 100 performances to showcase the Spanish culture in Dubai.
