As an international event, the World Expo is a global event of great interest, where exhibitors showcase the positive achievements of their local contemporary culture, technology, and industry to countries around the world. However, the Dubai World Expo 2020, which was originally scheduled to open last year, was postponed for a year due to the pandemic, and finally officially opened last month!
The most eye-catching aspect of each World Expo is the iconic building newly constructed by the host country for this grand event. This year, more than 190 countries are participating, and over a hundred unique pavilions will be set up in the suburbs of Dubai. Each country’s exhibition style is different, showcasing top architectural designs from around the world. Below, we will select and introduce 10 of the most beautiful pavilions!
The Dubai Pavilion in the UAE
As the host country, the Dubai Pavilion of the UAE adopts the design of a soaring falcon, combining green plants, arches, and cantilevered wings. The roof is made up of 28 wings that can open in 3 minutes. Its operation requires 46 hydraulic actuators to activate the rotation of the wings, showcasing the majestic flight of an eagle.
British Pavilion
The design of the UK Pavilion, with its cross-laminated timber structure, aims to create a complex architectural form that conveys the UK’s identity as a multicultural country and showcases the result of combining concept and technology. Designers use a program to generate unique poems from words provided by visitors. These poems are displayed on the glowing surfaces of the building, turning the exterior structure of the pavilion into a poetic exhibition.
Canadian Pavilion
The Canada Pavilion aims to connect Canadian and UAE cultures. Therefore, it represents the Canadian landscape through iconic architectural elements from the Arab world. The pavilion’s wooden lattice facade is inspired by the traditional Mashrabiya of Islamic architecture, showcasing Canada’s achievements in technology, aerospace, artificial intelligence, education, and tourism.
Chinese Pavilion
The Chinese Pavilion, named “Light of China,” is one of the largest exhibition halls at the Expo Park. The design of the pavilion combines traditional Chinese lanterns with the four ancient great inventions: the exterior resembles a lantern, using high-tech environmentally friendly materials, and puts on a spectacular light show at night; the interior space is rich in layers, integrating elements of papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder.
Japanese exhibition hall
The Japan Pavilion combines wisteria patterns and origami designs, representing the connection between Japan and the Middle East. The design is inspired by the Middle Eastern traditional architectural element “windcatcher”, which introduces natural wind to achieve indoor cooling effects. The water pool in front of the building reflects the exterior of the architecture, creating a beautiful scene.
Belgian Pavilion
The Belgium Pavilion adopts the shape of an arch-shaped floral giant stone, combining the Latin romanticism of the art field with exquisite craftsmanship to create a vertical forest. The pavilion offers 500 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing Belgium’s vision for the future and integrating the country’s traditional famous comics.
Australian Pavilion
The Australian Pavilion mimics the country’s unique natural landscapes, with architects creating a cloud-like roof by suspending folded wood, evoking Australia’s vast clear skies. At night, the vertically painted aluminum panels light up, resembling a thundercloud about to strike lightning.
Brazil Pavilion
The Brazilian pavilion has designed an architectural structure of floating branches. Visitors can rotate to reach the upper level of the exhibition hall and appreciate the ethnic culture of Brazilian minorities among the intertwined branches.
Singapore Pavilion
The Singapore Pavilion is themed around “Nature, Nurture, Future”, connecting lush greenery of tropical trees, bamboo shoots, and Singapore’s national flower, the orchid, with a top that features a sustainable botanical garden. The entire venue maintains a comfortable temperature under the constant temperature of the building materials.
Moroccan Pavilion
The Moroccan Pavilion showcases traditional Moroccan design and construction techniques. The pavilion takes the technology and creativity of traditional Moroccan building materials to new heights, while celebrating the country’s rich and diverse culture and landscapes. The architecture is composed of 22 stacked rectangular blocks, including 14 exhibition spaces.
Image source and learn more: Expo 2020 Dubai
