Expo 2020: Firms selected to design theme pavilions

The organisers of Dubai’s Expo 2020 confirmed that they have selected the winners of an international competition launched to design the three theme pavilions of the event.

Globally, 13 architectural firms took part in the competition launched in July 2015 by Emaar Properties on behalf of Expo 2020.

The firms submitted concepts for the three pavilions of opportunity, mobility and sustainability – the centrepieces of the expo.

A key criterion was that the design should also have the flexibility and longevity to remain as a landmark and functional structure after the expo is complete in 2021, a statement said.

Chairman of the Expo Higher Committee Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The competition attracted a truly stellar line up of architectural firms that each put forward designs that impressed all those involved in the selection process.

“After careful study and consideration, three designs stood out, amidst tough competition, as great future structures that will mark our Expo as exceptional.”

The BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) – a group of architects, designers, builders and thinkers based in Copenhagen and New York won the contract for the opportunity pavilion.

Their design showcased contemporary urban life as a result of the confluence of cultural exchange, global economic trends and communication technologies.

Meanwhile London-based Foster + Partners submitted the winning proposal for the mobility pavilion.

The winning design for the sustainability pavilion – which will become a long-term ‘cluster’ centre for innovative technologies – was submitted by Grimshaw Architects.

The Dubai expo, themed ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, will run from October 2020 to April 2021 and will mark the first time the event is held in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Organisers have already begun handing out several contracts for the event.

Last last year US-based Parsons said that it won the deal to carry out the infrastructure design and construction supervision services for the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Under the deal, Parsons will be responsible for designing, monitoring, managing and delivering the project’s infrastructure.

Other deals that were awarded include the tender to build the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali master district to a consortium led by US-based CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace and a design contract for the venue that was awarded to a consortium consisting of US-based architects HOK and engineering firm Arup.