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.
Related Stories
| Feb 6, 2012
FMI releases 2012 Construction Productivity Report
Downsizing has resulted in retaining the most experienced and best-trained personnel who are the most capable of working more efficiently and harder.
| Feb 2, 2012
Shawmut Design and Construction launches sports venues division
Expansion caps year of growth for Shawmut.
| Jan 24, 2012
U of M installs new lighting at Crisler Player Development Center
Energy efficient lighting installed at PDC reduce costs and improves player performance.
| Jan 3, 2012
The Value of Historic Paint Investigations
An expert conservator provides a three-step approach to determining a historic building’s “period of significance”—and how to restore its painted surfaces to the correct patterns and colors.
| Dec 27, 2011
Nova completes $60M Clearwater Conference Center
Comprising an entire city block, the 450,000 sq. ft. facility features over 400 meeting rooms, six theaters, a full-service health spa, complete with an indoor running track, and a commercial kitchen that can efficiently accommodate over 1,000 diners
| Dec 27, 2011
BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit update
The two-day Under 40 Leadership Summit continued with a Leadership Style interactive presentation; Great Solutions presentations from Under 40 attendees; the Owner’s Perspective panel discussion; and the Blue Ocean Strategy presentation.
| Dec 14, 2011
Tyler Junior College and Sika Sarnafil team up to save energy
Tyler Junior College wanted a roofing system that wouldn’t need any attention for a long time.
| Dec 5, 2011
Summit Design+Build begins renovation of Chicago’s Esquire Theatre
The 33,000 square foot building will undergo an extensive structural remodel and core & shell build-out changing the building’s use from a movie theater to a high-end retail center.
| Nov 9, 2011
Lincoln Center Pavilion wins national architecture and engineering award
The project team members include owner Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York; design architect and interior designer of the restaurant, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, New York; executive architect, FXFOWLE, New York; and architect and interior designer of the film center, Rockwell Group, New York; structural engineer Arup (AISC Member), New York; and general contractor Turner Construction Company (AISC Member), New York.
| Nov 9, 2011
Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program recognized by Society of Plastics Engineers
Program leads the industry in recovering and recycling roofing membrane into new roofing products.