Grimshaw Architects Design Interactive Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020
Grimshaw Architects has designed the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in an exceptional design,
conveying an idea of the impact of human activities on the environment.
Dubbed the Terra, the Grimshaw Pavilion will become a platform to highlight the importance of sustainability,
how quickly humans need to take action to protect the planet for future generations.
The exhibition is centered on three main themes: Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity.
Visitors to the pavilions will be educated with knowledge and information related to sustainability, while enjoying an entertaining experience.
The Terra is an old building, and will become a science center that aims to operate independently in terms of energy production and water supply.
Having served as the sustainability pavilion for the much awaited event, Expo 2020 Dubai.
The pavilion’s relationship to its physical, cultural and environmental contexts has been well studied,
to convey ways of living sustainably in such a harsh desert environment.
Design features provided by Grimshaw Architects
Grimshaw Architects drew inspiration for the pavilion’s operation from complex natural processes such as photosynthesis.
This measurement results in a dynamic shape, which captures energy from sunlight and fresh water from moist air,
creating a comprehensive interactive experience including the building, the environment and visitors.
The Pavilion structure works in tandem with the thoughtful landscaping of experimental gardens,
winding paths, and shaded pockets, to create an aura of magic permeated with the landscape, scents, and tangible opportunities of nature.
Several solutions and technologies have been integrated into the pavilion,
to achieve the goal of being a zero-energy building by pooling energy and water.
This has led to the creation of a small ecosystem of strategies, including optimizing the natural conditions of the site,
collaborating with and working as part of these conditions to achieve maximum efficiency,
and providing them with the latest innovative technologies.
Innovative technologies at the Sustainability Pavilion at the first Expo 2020 Dubai
One of the innovative technologies is the creation of a 130-meter-long canopy roof,
clad in photovoltaic panels, surrounded by 18 “energy trees” that provide shade and harvest solar energy.
Approximately 6,300 square meters of exhibition space is located underground, well isolated by the ground,
where the funnel shape drives natural ventilation and natural light into the pavilion.
The pavilion’s water management system collects condensed water from moisture,
then the collected water goes through filtration and disinfection processes.
It is also mixed with desalinated water collected on the site as well, to be used as potable water.
The area around the pavilion
The pavilion is surrounded by an area of several gardens designed by local landscape architects,
Desert INK, displaying different types of crops for extreme weather, serving as inspiration for a new food production system.
The gardens are both experimental and functional, paving the way for gallery contents inside,
creating shaded gathering areas that will manage and distribute crowds while providing retail and food and beverage opportunities.
The Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavilion provides visitors with an interactive experience.
The content of the pavilion was created by Thinc Design and the educational NGO Eden Project,
to simulate conversations and lines of thought related to sustainability issues.
