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UAE Pavilion at Expo 2023: BIG First Project in the Middle East

Designed by BIG Landscape team in collaboration with Atelier Brückner, the UAE Pavilion’s rammed earth structure framed a series of exhibition galleries and 32 gardens, creating an immersive experience of the region’s diverse landscape from desert to oasis, and sea to the mountains.

It is now a few months since the completion of the 2023 International Horticultural Expo in Doha, Qatar but the impact of BIG’s Pavilion for UAE has still left its impact and was recognized at the Expo’s closing event for its material use, innovative landscape design, and plant species selection.

Designed by BIG’s Landscape team in collaboration with Atelier Brückner, the Pavilion’s rammed earth structure framed a series of exhibition galleries and 32 gardens, creating an immersive experience of the UAE’s diverse landscape from desert to oasis, and sea to the mountains.

Though almost inconspicuous till you reach right in front of the Pavilion, the impact this UAE Pavilion had was impressive, not just in design but also in the experiences within the designed spaces with interactive zones and guided talks.

Designed to showcase the region’s environmental preservation and agricultural innovation, the 450 sq metre pavilion is inspired by the deep roots and intertwined branches of the local Ghaf Tree. The Pavilion was conceived as a dome-shape, emerging from the earth, gradually rising towards its centre and framing polygonal-shaped spaces and gardens to create a maze-like exhibition experience that draws visitors into its folds.

“The UAE Pavilion draws on the natural systems and centuries-old vernacular architecture of the UAE to respond to the world’s current climate challenges. Inspired by the deep roots and intertwined branches of the drought resistant Ghaf Tree, the Pavilion is designed as a network of rammed earth walls framing a series of exhibition galleries and gardens of indigenous species. Walls, floors and roofs are formed by soil, stone and vegetation, creating a physical link to the ground they come from. Meandering paths lead to an outdoor oasis, which is organized as a series of thematic gardens that explore the power of plants as a source of food, health and energy. By weaving together architecture and landscape into a seamless experience, the UAE Pavilion shares the story of humanity’s inseparable bonds with nature,” says Giulia Frittoli, Partner & Head of BIG Landscape, BIG, Bjarke Ingels Group.

The Pavilion by BIG is primarily made from locally sourced materials with walls constructed in rammed earth, which includes 90% soil and 10% cement for binding. The roof structure is formed by wooden beams topped with palm leaves for shading and limestone rocks are used for paving surfaces. A network of paths within the pavilion takes the visitors on a journey through thematic gardens that explore the power of plants as a source of food, health and joy.

Throughout the gardens, guests could explore native and non-native plants cultivated or found in the wild. The landscaping and greenhouse included 65 species and 6,609 plants with edible plants, fruit trees, medicinal plants, a bee garden, flowers, spices, shrubs, grasses, industrial plants, and perennials. The greenhouse was filled with fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, figs, and citrus fruits. The plants were selected to highlight species that contribute to the UAE’s agricultural legacy, from past, to present and future.

The International Horticultural Expo 2023 in Doha marked the first International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region. At the Expo’s closing event, the UAE Pavilion was acknowledged as the winner in the Best Self-Built Pavilion category for its alignment with the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”.

Throughout its six-month-long exhibition period from October 2023 until end of March 2024, the UAE Pavilion hosted educational workshops for children on topics such as pollinator protection, panel discussions on agricultural innovations and food security, and cooking lessons demonstrating recipes using plants from the local food systems. The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2023 is BIG’s first completed project in the Middle East.

Images by Shoayb Khattab

PROJECT INFORMATION

Name: UAE Pavilion

Client: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan

Foundation and the National Projects Office

Size: 450 m2

Location: Doha, Qatar

Collaborators: Atelier Brückner, Conmarble Design Studio, MACE, CEG

PROJECT TEAM

Partners-in-Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Jakob Lange, Giulia Frittoli, BIG

Project Leader: Søren Martinussen

Project Architect: Alvaro Novás Filgueria