In a competition of nine architecture firms and 11 submitted proposals, the United Arab Emirates selected Santiago Calatrava’s design for the UAE Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020.
UAE officials felt that the structure, which features a series of wing-shaped exterior panels meant to look like a falcon in flight, best represented the expo’s theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” They also said the design has a distinct UAE feel and that it embodied the country’s past and future.
“The proposed design of the UAE Pavilion captures the story we want to tell the world about our nation,” UAE Minister of State Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said in a statement. “Our late founding father His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan used falconry expeditions to forge connections between tribes and to create a distinct national identity which ultimately led to the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Now, the falcon design will symbolize how we are connecting the UAE to the minds of the world and how as a global community we can soar to new heights through partnership and cooperation.”
The 161,000-sf pavilion will have exhibition areas, lounges, food and drink outlets, and an auditorium, and it is designed to meet LEED Platinum standards.
The structure will be in the center of the 500-acre exhibition area. Held from October 2020 to April 2021, Dubai 2020 is a six-month architecture, innovation, and global culture fair that is expected to draw 25 million visitors and participants.
Calatrava has another connection with the city. Earlier this year, his Dubai Creek Harbour design was chosen in a competition of six proposals. The slender minaret-shaped tower is expected to be taller than the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, and is slated to be completed before Dubai 2020.
In March, three major firms designed other pavilions for the expo. BIG designed the Opportunity Pavilion, Foster+Partners submitted the winning Mobility Pavilion, and Grimshaw created the Sustainability Pavilion.
Santiago Calatrava’s UAE Pavilion. Click to enlarge.
Santiago Calatrava’s UAE Pavilion. Click to enlarge.
Santiago Calatrava’s UAE Pavilion. Click to enlarge.
Related Stories
| Aug 28, 2013
Federal Government Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest federal government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 26, 2013
What you missed last week: Architecture billings up again; record year for hotel renovations; nation's most expensive real estate markets
BD+C's roundup of the top construction market news for the week of August 18 includes the latest architecture billings index from AIA and a BOMA study on the nation's most and least expensive commercial real estate markets.
| Aug 22, 2013
Sports Facility Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest sports facility design and construction firms, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 22, 2013
Energy-efficient glazing technology [AIA Course]
This course discuses the latest technological advances in glazing, which make possible ever more efficient enclosures with ever greater glazed area.
| Aug 21, 2013
First look: Petersen Automotive Museum's dramatic facelift
One of the world's largest automotive museums unveils plans for a stunning, sculptured metal exterior and cutting-edge interior upgrades.
| Aug 14, 2013
Green Building Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest green design and construction firms.
| Jul 22, 2013
Hotel business continues to shine [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Despite some economic stressors, hotel operating fundamentals are poised to remain strong in 2013.
| Jul 22, 2013
Transportation Facility Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from airport terminals and other transportation-related facilities, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Jul 22, 2013
Convention Center Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from convention center projects, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Jul 22, 2013
Cultural Facility Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from cultural facility projects, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
