Construction has begun on one of the centerpiece structures at the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai, the Santiago Calatrava-designed UAE Pavilion.
Inspired by the shape of a flying falcon, the UAE Pavilion covers more than 15,000 square meters and four floors, including a 1,717-square-meter top-story hospitality lounge. A 588-square-meter mezzanine will house support functions, with the remaining two floors containing 12,000 square meters will of exhibition space showcasing displays that respond to the Expo theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”
At the groundbreaking ceremony Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum championed the design as a symbol of Emirati tradition and future:
The UAE Pavilion will undoubtedly be one of the most prominent attractions of Expo 2020, drawing in many millions to witness its futuristic design. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share our Emirati culture and achievements while showcasing our ambitious vision for the future. The Pavilion will be an architectural marvel that all seven Emirates can rightly take pride in, both now at the ground-breaking stage, during Expo, and in legacy when it will become a lasting icon of our nation.
The pavilion is being constructed by Arabtec Construction. It expected to complete by the end of 2019.
Santiago Calatrava's Winning Design for the UAE Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo
Santiago Calatrava has won the competition to design the United Arab Emirates Pavilion for the Dubai World Expo in 2020. Nine finalists submitted 11 concepts that were evaluated on three criteria: their expression of Expo's theme, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," whether the design was evocative of the UAE, and if a balance was struck between the country's past and future.
