EXPO 2020 PAVILIONS

High-tech examples of innovation among Expo 2020’s 192 country pavilions.

United Kingdom

COMPANY: PRG

Created by world-renowned designer, Es Devlin, The UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the most recognisable among of the 192 countries represented on site. A mesmerising cone-shaped structure with a 25m-high LED circular façade made up of 2,000 customised LED tiles, the pavilion uses an advanced AI learning algorithm developed in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, which allows visitors to add their choice of word to a continuously changing ‘collective message from humanity to the universe’ displayed on the LED modules. PRG was appointed by Pico to deliver the engineering of the customised LED tiles through its PRG Projects team, which supported Devlin in her design process for the UK Pavilion, commissioned by the Department of International Trade and project managed by Avantgarde. Both the outdoor and indoor tiles use SMD LEDs, with the outdoor coloured to match the building finish and the indoor made from flexible PCB to follow the curved shape of the cassettes. “We worked closely with our colleagues in Shenzhen to source the LED components and custom manufacturing,” commented Frederic Opsomer, General Manager PRG Projects. “Their presence in China was very helpful – especially when borders of the country were closed during the pandemic.” PRG UK then supported PRG Projects in specifying the media servers and worked with the creative team from Luke Halls Studio on several demos to test the software. The entire R&D process took around six months from initial prototypes to the final product. Once the geometry of the building was decided, PRG Projects worked closely with its teams in Dubai, the UK and China to ensure the design and selection of LED was suitable for the conditions that are presented in UAE. “One of the main challenges was, of course, the conditions in Dubai,” said Opsomer. “We conducted several tests in climate chambers and mock-ups to ensure the products specified would perform across the duration of Expo 2020 Dubai.” When it came to the on-site delivery, PRG Dubai led the team as the local contractor and installation provider, with a team of eight specialist technicians overseen by an experienced project manager installing the LED tiles as well as the customised immersive audio system, designed by Polyphonia, over a sixweek period. Gavin Short, Senior Technical Project Manager for PRG in Dubai, explained: “The bespoke soundscape is fed through a series of small speakers concealed within the cone, providing an immersive sound experience for the guests. The system is played back from Q-Lab and is triggered from the video control servers.” Another challenge was the integration of the electronics into the limited space within the cone. “Our team worked closely with the design team and architects to ensure enough ventilation was factored in during the design and build process,” Short noted. Opsomer added: “Being able to draw upon our team’s knowledge, resource and delivery across the group during the pandemic highlighted our strength in delivery. Despite being unable to travel, our teams were able to work across borders and time zones to find the technical solutions that were required to fulfil the design process and delivery onsite.” Describing the project as “one of the most remarkable” he’s ever been involved with, Opsomer concluded: “I have known Es for many years, and we have collaborated on several projects together. She is an amazing designer, and this project reinforces her already stellar reputation. This breath-taking design of evermoving poetry, displayed digitally and integrated to illuminate the façade of the UK Pavilion, was a beautiful challenge for us at PRG, and we are very proud to collaborate with her on this journey of innovation.” Short added: “The UK Pavilion is an exceptional and unmissable part of the overall Expo experience, located in the Opportunity District and is clearly a space that will inspire visitors to the site.”

www.prg.com

Italy

COMPANY: POWERSOFT

Twenty-five Italian-made Powersoft amplifiers are handling the audio demands of the award-nominated Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020. Over 28,000 people a day are expected to visit the Italy Pavilion, which centres on a spectacular 3D-printed, 1:1-scale reproduction of Michelangelo’s David created in Powersoft’s home city of Florence. Key to that popularity is the powerful audio experience created by the pavilion’s all-Italian sound system, which complements a striking, sustainable visual design featuring two million recycled plastic bottles. Powering the system are 25 Powersoft amplifiers supplied by PRO LAB, the company’s exclusive distributor in the GCC and Lebanon, and installed by local systems integrator, SIBCA. Two of the five Quattrocanali 2404 DSP+D amplifiers are used in the main auditorium and restaurant areas, while three are equipped in the first hull, white space, and skywalk (which offers visitors a panoramic view of the pavilion from an 11m skybridge). Two Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D, the 2404s 1,200W baby brother, are installed in the FS Tunnel, a partnership with FS Italiane (Italian State Railways). Four Mezzo 322 AD are powering the Belvedere, an area featuring a 360° projection of some of Italy’s most famous landscapes, and another four the Teatro della Memoria, where the 17ft David replica is installed. A further 322 AD is installed in the VIP lounge. Also from the compact Mezzo family are the two Mezzo 324 AD installed in the cultural space and innovation space, and the two Mezzo 604 AD powering the VIP area and extra VIP space. Five Mezzo 602 AD, meanwhile, are driving the VIP meeting room, education lab, head office and cafeteria, as well as joining forces with the Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D in the FS Tunnel. As well as featuring only Italian amplifiers, the Italy Pavilion’s loudspeakers are Italian throughout, with the Powersoft amplifiers powering a range of RCF, K-array and FBT loudspeakers. “When we talk about ‘Made in Italy’, we almost always think of fashion, food, tourism and art,” Powersoft President, Carlo Lastrucci commented. “But there is another less well-known industry, equally excellent, which must and deserves to be valued. All research and development, production, technical assistance, marketing, sales, logistics, and warehouse activities are in our centre in Florence and in production plants in Italy. This allows us to control the entire chain from start to finish, ensuring the optimisation of processes, quality, and responsiveness to market needs.” More than five million people will have visited the Italy Pavilion, designed by CRA (Carlo Ratti Associati), Italo Rota, Matteo Gatto & Associati and F&M Ingegneria using recycled and sustainable materials, by the time Expo 2020 ends on 31 March 2022.

www.powersoft.com

Finland

COMPANIES: INFiLED, GENELEC

Finland’s Snow Cape Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai features a raft of highend AV solutions, including INFiLED curved LED displays and Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers. JKMM Architects engaged DXB Live for the setup and integration of two curved INFiLED DB3.4mm LED displays with a total size of 104 sq m. The two companies worked together to create a cutting-edge, seamless curved LED solution that fits the theme, technical specifications, and overall impressive design of the pavilion. “To achieve and ensure the requested seamless curve, our R&D team customised our standard DB cabinets to eight different curving angles including the hanging bars,” commented Samer Otaibi, Regional Sales Manager of INFiLED Middle East. “Creative installations are in our DNA, and we are delighted to see the result and be part of this impressive project among others at Expo 2020.” According to Otaibi, one of the main challenges was that the screens had to be hung from hanging bars, which required a lightweight, robust, yet high-quality product. “DB series is easy to install, and features exclusive black LEDs offering vivid colours, high contrast and stunning image quality,” he added. “We’re very proud of this project, which will impress thousands of visitors in the upcoming months.” The pavilion also benefits more a total of 84 Genelec 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers, including a 10-channel immersive loudspeaker array that reproduces specially commissioned sound art by Finnish composer, Emilia Takayama. A total of 74 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers have been installed in the pavilion’s exhibition area, configured as a custom immersive array, while the other 10 4430s are handling sound art content in ‘The Gorge’ area of the building. The entire system is fed via Dante and powered using standard PoE+ network switches and was designed by Genelec and commissioned by GSL Professional in Dubai, Genelec’s local distribution partner. The system installation and programming were handled by Audico Systems from Finland.

www.infiled.com www.genelec.com