The renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has revealed his design of the UAE Pavilion, which theme is “wings that depict the flow of movement”, for Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE.
Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava
The form of the pavilion resembles a “symbolic interpretation of the flow of movement”—it blends with its context of greenery, shaded arcades, and cantilevered wings and, at the same time, speaks of the development and innovation of the UAE. Santiago Calatrava designed a unique experience that evokes the visitors’ memories and visions of the UAE with both its architectural form and integrated cinematic features.
The theme of the pavilion is represented in its roof structure that is made of a hybrid system of a shell and a portal frame. The roof comprises 28 wings that can be opened within 3 minutes. Its operation requires 46 hydraulic actuators to activate the rotation of the wings to open to their full capacity.
Santiago Calatrava has always taken environmental solutions into consideration, which appears here in the photovoltaic panels beautifully integrated into the roof structure. When closed, the wings serve as protection from rain and sandstorms, while when they are open, the photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight to harvest energy.
Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava
“We are committed to ensure that the leading practices of environmental sustainability are embedded at the heart of the design process. Accordingly, the UAE Pavilion is energy-conscious and integrates a range of elements and qualities of sustainable design, ensuring the longevity of the structure, to withstand the test of time.” – Santiago Calatrava
In the interior, an Oculus skylight is integrated within the roof of the pavilion, it provides natural light from a height of 27.8 meters, and mirrors Expo 2020’s logo. Furthermore, the Oculus increases the safety of the pavilion—it is surrounded by grilles that open in case of accidental fires. Another unique feature in the interior is a faceted sphere-like space that houses an auditorium with a lifting platform. The platform supports the interior seating and transports the audience from one floor to another during their audio-visual experience.
Courtesy of Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava has also recently revealed his design of the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE. The Pavilion’s design combines elements of sculpture and structure resulting in an architectural beacon representative of Qatar’s vision of the future while paying tribute to the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
