UAE unveils blueprint of Expo 2015 pavilion in Milano

Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 features narrow streets, courtyards reminiscent of UAE of yesteryear.

Visitors to the UAE pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 will be surprised beyond belief as the first blueprint of the pavilion was unveiled on Tuesday. Inspired by Arabian sand dunes, the pavilion will attract visitors from all over the world and offer a window to Arabian heritage and culture.

“The UAE government has invested a lot in this project to show how committed we are,” said Salem Al Ameri, UAE Pavilion Commissioner-General.

The pavilion occupies a large site close to the centre of the Expo and visitors are drawn into the mouth of a canyon-like space, which forms the pavilion’s entrance. Defined by 12-metre-high walls on both sides, the design draws on influences of ancient planning principles. Featuring narrow streets and courtyards reminiscent of the UAE of yesteryear, the walls continue throughout the 140-metre site in a series of parallel waves.

Interestingly, architects commissioned to work on the project have scanned real desert sand to recreate the texture of walls and present shades of sand from all seven emirates.

“Our aim was not simply to create an iconic building but to build a space that is an integral part of our story and of the theme itself. Everything that we have done is connected to the UAE and its efforts to achieve sustainable solutions,” said Gerard Evenden, the project’s leading architect and a senior partner at Foster + Partners.

Stepping inside the pavilion, visitors will be greeted by Emirati hosts who will hand over a mobile device to guide guests. Along the tour, visitors will find company in irrigation canals that run across the site, and will be recreated using digital screens.

At the heart of the display will be a rotating auditorium, which will connect visitors to a special exhibit featuring Dubai as the host city for Expo 2020.

Once inside the auditorium, visitors will be immersed in a 360-degree projection as the entire auditorium will rotate and a film will showcase the UAE story.

Visitors will then disembark at a site, which draws inspiration from TED talks. Full-size virtual presenters will interact with guests who will be motivated to learn more in a surprising, challenging and inspiring ambiance.

At the end of the exhibition trail, visitors reach a green oasis leading into a ground level café, with a formal restaurant on the first floor and a hospitality roof terrace on top.

The landscaping around the pavilion and in the open public areas is designed to evoke the terrain and flora of the UAE.

“It is a unique experience moving through the show and something very special. The second you move into the pavilion, you are in a world of its own. For that moment, you will feel you are in the UAE,” added Gerard.

Every hour, the pavilion will host 785 people and construction of the project will make use of local materials with recycled contents.

The Expo in Milan will see a large participation from the UAE. With Dubai’s successful bid to host the Expo in 2020, expectations have significantly heightened.

The architects worked closely with Masdar and several elements of the pavilion draw inspiration from the Masdar site in Abu Dhabi.

“Masdar is proud to have supported in the design of the UAE Pavilion for Expo Milano 2015,” said Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Director of Sustainability at Masdar.

Most appreciably, the building is designed to get dismantled and rebuilt in Abu Dhabi after the Expo.

“We are planning to bring back the pavilion to Masdar City after the Expo. Not only are we trying to minimise carbon footprint and consumption of water, we will also measure carbon emissions and look at ways to offset it,” she added during the media briefing.

The audio-visual experience at the site will also complement the pavilion’s iconic architecture.

“We are actually using digital technologies in really innovative ways. We have been able to make it a communication mechanism to complement a beautiful piece of architecture. Visitors will never feel they are in a queue and the centerpiece draws on the fantastic success of an emotional film experience,” said Peter Higgins, Creative Director at Land Deisgn Studio, said.

Details of the UAE pavilion were unveiled at an innovative online press conference on Tuesday, connecting journalists from 30 countries. Architects, designers and senior UAE government officials involved in project planning spoke from offices in Milan, London and Abu Dhabi.

Milan will host the Universal Exposition under the theme of ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ from May 1 to October 31, 2015. It will host 141 participating countries representing international organisations, civil society and companies.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE