Al Wasl Plaza Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The use of recycled materials was prioritised during the construction phase, as was the use of sustainable alternatives to traditional cement. This strategy reduced the construction CO2 emissions by 32%; a reduction equivalent to 21,770 barrels of oil.

More than 500 tonnes of steel, a 13,000-m² footprint, 130 metres wide and 67 metres high: the Al Wasl Plaza dome is one of the largest structures built for Expo 2020 in Dubai. This huge installation was designed to provide legacy benefits after the World Expo, and perpetuate its theme of Connecting Minds and Creating the Future.

During the day, its trellis dome provides valuable shade for the terraced public garden. In combination with the other design choices made (wind circulation, low-emission paving, fountains and landscaping), this shading means that the temperature in the garden is 9°C lower than surrounding unshaded areas on average. But with nightfall comes a complete transformation. The 252 laser projectors focused on its dome transform Al Wazl Plaza to create the world’s largest 360-degree immersive projection experience.

100% of the plants in the Al Wasl Plaza gardens are grown in local nurseries, and 50% of the species used are indigenous to the region.

Technical Sheet

• Architect: Adrian Smith

+ Gordon Gill Architecture

• Developer: Expo 2020 Dubai LLC