12 minute read
EXPO 2020
AUSTRALIA BRINGS TO EXPO 2020 DUBAI‘BLUE SKY DREAMING’
Australia’s natural wonder, innovative know-how and fascinating 60,000-year-old cultural history and diversity will be on the world’s stage alongside 191 participating nations at Expo 2020 Dubai
The Australian Pavilion will showcase key trade, economic, export and education opportunities while celebrating the nation’s highly unique natural and cultural attractions, from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
Justin McGowan, Australia’s Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said the Expo represents an exciting opportunity for Australia to play a leading role at what is being referred to as the ‘global business Olympics’.
“Expo 2020 Dubai is an unmissable opportunity for Australia to build on existing relationships and identify new trade and investment opportunities. Global collaboration is integral to the world’s economic and social recovery. With 191 nations participating, Expo 2020 Dubai offers a gateway not only to the Middle East but to the whole world,” Mr McGowan said.
Australian companies have already secured over A$170 million worth of Expo related contracts. To support additional business opportunities, the Australian Trade & Investment Commission, in collaboration with Australian states and territories, industry bodies, research institutions, and partner nations are delivering an extensive trade and investment program across priority sectors – Education, Food & Agribusiness, Water, Sport, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Mining & Resources, Space, and Digital Technology.
“Throughout the six-month-long event, the best of Australia will be on show to the world. We will be showcasing the strength of our economy and world-class capabilities through a combination of inperson and virtual events.
The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together nations, communities and millions of visitors in the spirit of hope and collaboration, for a six-month celebration of creativity, innovation and human progress.
“Australia is proud to be participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. The United Arab Emirates is one of Australia’s most important and long-standing trade and investment partners with annual trade links valued at A$ 9.8 billion per year. Approximately 15,000 Australians live in the UAE and 250 of our companies operate here. As a nation, we are excited to be able to join >>>
our Emirati friends for this significant global event,” Mr McGowan said.
Alongside its trade program, the Australian Pavilion will offer an outstanding visitor experience and is expected to be one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s must-see pavilions. The pavilion’s theme of Blue Sky Dreaming celebrates Australia’s spirit of innovation and its history as one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations, highlighting the nation’s infinite opportunities.
The Australian Pavilion is in the Mobility District, directly opposite Alif, Expo 2020’s Mobility Pavilion. Standing 21 metres tall, the Australian Pavilion will be among the largest at Expo 2020 Dubai and will offer an immersive and exciting exhibition experience.
Meaningful art touches all aspects of the pavilion, helping to relay the story of Australia’s vibrant and long-lived culture. Visitors go through three distinct sections – the Welcome Stories tunnel, the Star Dreaming planetarium-style experience and an immersive storytelling exhibition space dubbed Annika’s Journey- before reaching the open forecourt where visitors can come together to dine, reflect, and celebrate true Australian culture and hospitality.
“In developing the design for the Australian Pavilion, we wanted a venue that captured not only the Blue Sky Dreaming theme, but the welcoming spirit and relaxed, multicultural society for which Australia is renowned,” Mr McGowan said.
“Brisbane-based architectural team bureau^proberts has designed a space which embodies the Australian spirit and persona; relaxed and laid back, yet dynamic, lively and courageous. The Australian Pavilion will be a place of gathering where everyone is welcome and will leave feeling inspired, having experienced a taste of what Australia has to offer the world.”
A key element of the design of the Australian Pavilion is its roof, a gleaming white canopy inspired by the large fluffy white cumulus clouds that make up Australia’s iconic big blue skylines.
“The large white cumulus cloud is a common feature of Australia’s expansive horizons and is a clear and a recognisable sign of good weather,” Mr McGowan said.
“Agile and ever-changing, visitors to the Australian Pavilion will find the cloud central to their pavilion journey. By day, it provides cooling shade over the forecourt. At night, it comes alive with a dynamic display of light and sound designed to mimic the ancient and rugged landscape of Australia.
“We are confident that the combination of the building and the breadth of the visitor experience will ensure that the Australian Pavilion is one of the highlights
of Expo 2020 Dubai and a powerful representation of Australia on the world stage that we can all be proud of.”
The Australian Pavilion enjoys strong support from the Commonwealth Government, along with all Australian states and territories and leading public and private sector organisations. The Victorian Government is a platinum partner, with major partners including the New South Wales Government and The Hermal Group, a diverse enterprise comprising several business interests and investments.
“Presenting an event on this scale is a truly collaborative undertaking. We are proud to be joined at Expo 2020 Dubai by all of Australia’s state and territory governments, as well as our many public and private sector partners,” Mr McGowan said.
“Together, we can ensure that Expo 2020 Dubai is both an economic and cultural success for our nation.”
ARTISTIC APPROACH
The UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2020
Calatrava’s unique artistic approach and commitment to sustainable design
Shaped like a falcon in flight, the pavilion tells the story of the UAE as a global hub, and the vision of its leaders to create a peaceful and progressive society with ambitious plans for the future.
Images courtesy of Calatrava S panning across an area of 15,000 square meters, the UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2020, designed by renowned architect and engineer Dr. Santiago Calatrava, offers a symbolic interpretation of the flow of movement. Through the articulation of carefully planned lines and crafted spaces, the UAE Pavilion serves as a national monument and an iconic destination, creating immersive experiences for guests to discover the UAE’s rich history and dynamic future.
From the first sketch to execution, Calatrava designed the UAE Pavilion to harmoniously mesh with its interactive surrounding landscape, drawing visitors towards the shaded arcade wrapping along the perimeter wall and nestled beneath the floating and movable wings, that make up the Pavilion’s roof.
STRUCTURAL INSPIRATION: WINGS THAT DEPICT THE FLOW OF MOVEMENT The most impressive element of the UAE Pavilion is the roof structure that displays a hybrid system between a shell and a portal frame, composed of 28 wings. The wings can be opened within 3 minutes, completing a range of movements, between 110 and 125 degrees. The rotation of the wings is driven by a total number of 46 specialized and synchronized hydraulic actuators, functioning as pistons. When they are activated, hydraulic oil is pushed through the actuators, extending the pistons, and opening the wings to their full capacity.
THE ENERGY-CONSCIOUS ELEMENTS AND PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AT THE UAE PAVILION “We are committed to ensure that the leading practices of environmental sustainability are embedded at the heart of the design process,” shares Calatrava. “Accordingly, the UAE Pavilion is energy-conscious and integrates a range of elements and qualities of sustainable design, ensuring the longevity of the structure, to withstand the test of time,” he adds.
Sustainable elements such as photovoltaic (PV) panels that have been produced in the UAE, have been integrated into the roof structure bringing the entire building to life, with the opening of the wings. Beyond the notion of aesthetics, the wings shelter and protect a composition of curved and straight PV panels when they are closed from rain and sandstorms and upon opening up, the panels are able to absorb as much sunlight as possible to harvest energy which is returned to the main power grid.
The UAE Pavilion has been designed and built to meet LEED Platinum Certification (based on LEED 2009 standards for New Construction). In addition, respecting ecological limits and natural resource constraints, it will also be compliant with the Dubai Green Building Regulations and Specifications (DGBR). THE OCULUS – AN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE The Oculus skylight at the apex of the roof of the UAE Pavilion mirrors the form of the Expo 2020 logo and is a fixed insulated glazing unit system, with a diameter of 12 meters, placing the UAE Pavilion at a height of 27.8 meters. As an architectural feature that offers a skylight opening, the Oculus also has a functional quality where its surrounding grilles open for smoke extraction (in case of an accidental fire).
AN AUDITORIUM AT THE CORE OF THE UAE PAVILION At the heart of the UAE Pavilion is a faceted sphere with an outer diameter of approximately 25 meters and an overall height of approximately 20 meters which houses an Auditorium. A specialist lifting platform supports the interior seating of the Auditorium and transports the au-
Architect and engineer Dr. Santiago Calatrava
dience from one floor to another while experiencing audio-visual shows.
The Auditorium serves as both a centerpiece and a functional space, with a capacity that accommodates 200 people.
LANDSCAPED AREAS OF CULTURAL IMPORTANCE TO THE UAE Surrounding the UAE Pavilion, and integrated throughout the space, are landscaped areas, with over 5,600 plants from 12 different species, of which 2,350 are considered to be of cultural importance to the UAE, as well as over 80 trees, with approximately 45 of the trees holding cultural importance for the UAE.
EVOKING A SENSE OF PRIDE IN A MULTISENSORY SETUP Calatrava sought to evoke an array of emotions, as guests immerse themselves in the UAE Pavilion’s architectural structure and landscaped areas. They then enter the Pavilion and move through the designed spaces, where they are surrounded by multisensory experiences, both from an architectural standpoint, as well as integrated cinematic features. A CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON, FOR THE UAE PAVILION Collaborating to envision and complete the UAE Pavilion, Dr. Calatrava and his son, Micael, who is based in the UAE, work closely together. “We shared similar visions with the stakeholders involved, and many suggestions that were brought to the table were deciphered and integrated to the overall design. This heightened the diversity of viewpoints in the creative process, allowing us to push the limits and challenge one another, to ensure that every angle, line and detail was accounted for and that the result is the best it can be, both for our client and for the visitors of the UAE Pavilion,” shares Micael.
With a growing office in the UAE, the Calatrava team believe that close proximity to the country and the client allows for the channeling of the true intended nature of the project from the first sketch.
“Our design process is similar to a journey that continuously unfolds with every sketch. Every creative journey we embark on, is unique for us, and this is demonstrated through the diverse portfolio of our architecture and design practice. Each project draws inspiration from the neighboring urban fabric from which it rises, to serve as an extension of the cosmopolitan city, as we have done with the UAE Pavilion,” he shares.
Above:
UAE Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020
Left:
Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai Expo 2020
SERVEU EXPANDS SERVICES IN ABU DHABI TO INCLUDE B2C SEGMENT
Lucy Elizabeth Jones, Head of Department, ServeU Essentials (B2B)
Following the success of its business-to-business (B2B) services in Abu Dhabi, ServeU announced its expansion through the launching of its business-toconsumer (B2C) segment in the emirate. Named Home Essentials, the new offering will enable customers to avail cost-effective facilities management (FM) services for their residence. The announcement comes after ServeU recently achieved a record revenue of over AED 50 million in the emirate through B2B services alone.
Gary Reader, General Manager, ServeU, said: “We are looking forward to enabling individuals and companies in Abu Dhabi experience the quality of facilities management service that ServeU has long been known for. This expansion reflects our dedication to offer the best standards of service and constantly innovate using the latest technological solutions to meet and exceed our client expectations through highly trained and experienced staff. With this new achievement, we aim to bridge industrial gaps and broaden our reach by offering a vast array of specialized facilities management solutions to enable more clients in the emirate to manage their own spaces and facilities more efficiently.”
Recognizing the increase in demand for facilities management services with the recent expansion, ServeU has an Abu Dhabi-based workforce composed of more than 600 technical and soft services staff. These professionals attend to various facilities management needs including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), cleaning, security, landscaping, pest control, duct cleaning, and more.
Lucy Elizabeth Jones, Head of Department at ServeU Essentials (B2B), commented: “We have been receiving numerous requests from our clients, and this recent expansion reflects our commitment to ensuring our customers receive the best solutions for their homes. By integrating machine learning and other technologies into our services, we will provide the latest facilities management solutions to guarantee customer satisfaction. Customers will be able to access modern home facility services such as seamless smart home installations and connectivity through mobile apps that is part of our innovative ServeU Home Essentials.” Home Essentials comes under ServeU Essentials, which offers a suite of FM solutions such as annual maintenance, cleaning services, and home automation. Other segments of ServeU Essentials include Business Essentials, which caters to tailored needs of company clients, and Retail Essentials, which provides part-time and mobile facilities services.
ServeU has been serving the needs of businesses in Abu Dhabi for more than a decade through exclusive contracts with private companies worth AED 7-9 million yearly. The FM company also provides services to UAE government entities and corporate clients across the country. The company holds multiple contracts of over AED 20 million for cleaning services.
