Amidst the events and happenings of the international event that started this week, Saudi Arabia celebrates its heritage and culture in a one of its kind pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The pavilion is the second largest one in the Expo, right after UAE Pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai
Due to its magnificent form and unique program, the Saudi Pavilion earned several awards before even opening to the public. Near Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai, the Saudi Pavilion’s facade takes the form of an unfolding rectangle, sloping high as if it is reaching the sky; in an analogy that will be further illustrated.
The Kingdom’s Pavilion rises six stories above the ground and features a 1,320 square meters inclined mirrored screen. The commissioner sought a structure that showcases Saudi’s ancient culture and heritage and, at the same time, conveys a notion of its rapid development, innovation, and future ambitions.
“The pavilion will be our country’s ‘window to the world,’ showcasing Saudi Arabia as it really is,” Hussain Hanbazazah, the Commissioner-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai told Arab News.
courtesy of Ksa Expo 2020
Second Largest Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
Designed by UK-based Boris Micka Associates, the massive structure covers 13,069 square meters of Expo 2020 Dubai’s masterplan -the size of two football pitches-.
“The structure opens like a large window into the future, with immersive experiences showing the nation’s welcoming character, rich history and heritage, ancient culture,” further explained Hanbazazah.
“It also showcases the towering ambition of the Saudi people and unlimited drive of our nation as well as the myriad opportunities under our national transformation plan, Vision 2030.”
courtesy of Ksa Expo 2020
A Technology-Enabled Journey
At their entry, visitors of the pavilion go down a staircase, to reach an outside terrace area with an award-winning water feature. From there, they can go inside the pavilion to watch stunning images of Saudi Arabia’s diverse natural landscape 9n 68 square meter screens—using technology to tell stories has been a running theme in Expo 2020 Dubai.
The vast screens are the guests’ first stop on a technology-enabled journey through five ecosystems, each showcased on a different level of the pavilion. This journey tells stories of the Kingdom’s preserved natural landscapes, including the coastline, deserts, mountains, and biodiverse creatures.
Reaching the top floor of the pavilion, guests can go up an escalator to reach a space where they are surrounded by built and projected scenes of the flora of Al Bardani Valley Rijal al-Mal and its traditional flower festival.
“The Saudi Pavilion’s design and architecture are as fascinating and dynamic as the content it displays; it encapsulates the wonders of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has developed an outstanding architectural landmark, embodying a bold ambition to shape the world for the better,” Hanbazazah told Arab News.
“The Saudi Pavilion’s design reflects both the country’s past and aspiring future, inviting guests to explore our beautiful natural landscapes while learning about the rich history that has shaped the Saudi Arabia we celebrate today.”
The technology-enabled journey is an indirect invitation for Expo 2020 Dubai’s millions of guests to visit Saudi Arabia’s stunning cultural and natural landmarks.
Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai
Biggest LED reflect screen at Expo 2020 Dubai
One of the certifications the pavilion received is the LEED Platinum Certificate by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), to make it one of the most sustainable buildings in the world.
Moreover, it holds three Guinness World Records: longest interactive state-of-the-art water feature; largest LED mirror screen display; and largest interactive lighting floor.
“Through rich and varied content, the Saudi pavilion seeks to offer visitors a unique experience that reflects the true image of the Kingdom as it is today under Saudi Vision 2030, our roadmap for the future, while emphasizing the importance of pride in identity, history, and heritage,” added Hanbazazah.
“The journey through the Saudi Pavilion showcases a future-forward Saudi Arabia: welcoming, young, diverse, and vibrant.”
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 Saudi Arabian 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.
