An Interactive Sustainability Pavilion in Expo 2020 by Grimshaw Architects

Grimshaw Architects’ exceptional design for Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion conveys a notion of the impact of human activities on the environment. The pavilion acts as an operations center inspired by nature; capturing energy and fresh water from its environmental context. 

Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai

The Expo is centered around three main ideas: Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity; with sustainability being a core idea, Grimshaw’s pavilion, dubbed Terra, will become a platform for highlighting its importance and how fast we need to take actions to protect our planet for the future generations. The visitors to the pavilions will be educated with knowledge and information regarding sustainability, all while enjoying an entertaining experience. 

Looking beyond the Expo 2020, Terra is one of the legacy buildings—after serving as the Sustainability Pavilion for the long-awaited event, it will become a Science Center with the aim of operating autonomously regarding energy production and water supply.

To convey ways of living sustainably in such a harsh desert environment, the pavilion’s relationship with its physical, cultural, and environmental contexts is well studied. 

Courtesy of Grimshaw Architects

Grimshaw Architects drew inspiration for the pavilion’s operation from complex natural processes such as photosynthesis. This analogy resulted in a dynamic form that “captures energy from sunlight and fresh water from humid air”. It is an overall interactive experience; including the building, the environment, and the visitors.

“Sited in a prominent location, the Pavilion structure works in tandem with the considered landscape of demonstration gardens, winding pathways and shaded enclaves to create an aura of magic punctuated by the sights, smells, and tactile opportunities of nature.” -Grimshaw Architects

Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai

To achieve the goal of being a net-zero energy building by gathering energy and water, the pavilion incorporated several solutions and technologies. This resulted in a micro-ecosystem of strategies, including optimizing the natural conditions of the location; collaborate with these conditions and act as part of them to maximize efficiency; and provide them with state-of-the-art innovative technologies. 

One of the innovative technologies in the Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion is a canopy roof with a 130 meters long span, clad in photovoltaic panels, and surrounded with 18 “Energy Trees” that provide shade and harvest solar power. Moreover, almost the 6300 square meters area of the exhibition space is located below ground, to be well insulated by the earth, and the funnel shape drives natural ventilation and natural light into the pavilion. 

Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai

Regarding the pavilion’s water supply, its water management system collects the condensed water caused by humidity. The collected water then passes through filtration and disinfection processes, gets mixed with desalinated water -collected on-site as well-, and is used as potable water. 

Surrounding the pavilion is an area of several gardens designed by local landscape architects desert INK. The gardens display different kinds of crops specific to extreme weather conditions and act as an inspiration for a new food production system. 

“The gardens are both experiential and functional, setting the stage for the exhibition contents within and creating shaded gathering areas that will manage and distribute crowds while providing retail, food and beverage opportunities.” –Grimshaw Architects.

Courtesy of Grimshaw Architects

Regarding the relationship between humans and nature, the Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavilion provides visitors with an interactive user experience. The content of the pavilion is created by Thinc Design and educational NGO Eden Project, and it simulates conversations and thinking threads of sustainability issues. 

Courtesy of Grimshaw Architects

Expo 2020 Dubai will run from October 1st, 2020 till March 31st, 2022, under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. It is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, c, and South Asia (MEASA). It is almost ready to celebrate all kinds of human achievements and inspire the next generation to achieve more.

The Expo 2020 features several big names in the architecture and construction industries besides Grimshaw Architects. The masterplan for the event is created by HOK, while Santiago Calatrava created two designs for the Expo, an innovative pavilion for Qatar and a futuristic one for the UAE.