World Expo Dubai: Architecture Award for Sustainable Austria-Pavilion

After one year of postponement, the whole world is now gathering for the World Expo in Dubai.

Under the motto "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, innovations will be exhibited that are intended to help change the world for the better.

Thus, the EXPO in Dubai is primarily aimed at visitors who are interested in scientific and technological progress.

The Austrian pavilion by querkraft architekten, consisting of 38 white cone towers, has already caused a stir in the run-up to the event, because it is one thing above all: absolutely different. 

In the general hustle and bustle of the EXPO, it stands out as an oasis of calm and relaxation, as an experience space that allows visitors to immerse themselves directly in the most important values of austria by concentrating on the essentials.

As a gesture to the UAE, the unique pavilion architecture relies on a dialogue with Arab building tradition - cones inspired by wind towers - and thus for the most part manages with natural air conditioning.

Thanks to clever planning and clay cladding, the construction method uses natural processes to control the temperature of the rooms. During the night, the concrete and clay walls absorb the coolness and release it into the interior during the day. in addition, planted cones, a densely greened inner courtyard and water mist system serve to regulate the climate naturally.

The pavilion offers interior comfort and a reduction in total energy consumption including all auxiliary functions by 70% compared to a comparable conventional building. Here tradition meets future-oriented conception - and thus also embodies the spirit of modern Austria.

The modular construction of the pavilion is just as future-oriented. the individual cones are made up of just eight different prefabricated parts in an igloo system and can be reused in a completely different composition at a new location for long-term use after the end of the six-month EXPO event without structural changes. The building poses one of the most important questions about the future and gives a possible answer: careful and respectful use of our earthly resources.

But it is also an experiential space that allows visitors to immerse themselves directly in Austria's most important values by focusing on the essentials.

For this, the general planning team of querkraft architekten received the renowned Architecture & Design Award 2021 in the category "Sustainable Architecture" in September.

The award-winning, holistic architectural concept is inspired by Arabian wind towers and combines traditional building technology and know-how from Austria in a novel way.

For example, the Austrian contribution in the exhibition area does not require any technical refrigeration and uses up to 70 percent less energy than conventional air-conditioned buildings in Dubai.

The Austrian pavilion at the World Expo is located in the "Opportunity" cluster and presents ideas and visions on socially relevant topics of our time. "Austria will present itself with technological solutions and intelligent products as an attractive innovation location in the heart of Europe", says President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Harald Mahrer. Furthermore, the way is to be paved for domestic companies on the Arab market. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are a sought-after destination for companies from all over the world, as they fulfill a hub function in the Middle East and serve as a hub between the Arab world, Asia and Africa," Harald Mahrer continued.

This year, a premiere awaits the millions of visitors from all over the world, because for the first time in the 170-year history of world exhibitions, the EXPO will be held in an Arab country. And those responsible in Dubai have made sure that this mega-show will be a success. Around 700 hotels with a capacity of almost 120,000 rooms await the guests. Even a dedicated metro line has been built to the site.

The exhibition grounds, which are located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, cover an area of more than four square kilometers, where 191 countries and organizations will present themselves in their pavilions for six months on the sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. And there is another innovation: Visitors will be greeted by more than 100 robots on the grounds. The robots are equipped with touch screens, bring food and drinks or show the way around the EXPO site. They are operated with 5G technology.

"EXPO 2020 in Dubai is a sign of international cohesion and looking to the future. Particularly in economically difficult times, a mega-event like the World Expo offers many opportunities for domestic companies. We will jump on this bandwagon of economic recovery," says Minister of Economic Affairs and Business Location Margarete Schramböck, emphasizing the importance of the EXPO.

On November 19, 2021, the EXPO in Dubai will be all about Austria, because that's Austria Day. During the EXPO runtime, each country will have the opportunity to present itself exclusively within the framework of a Nation's Day. In addition to events in the pavilion, events are also planned for the entire EXPO site, naturally with prominent guests from business, politics and culture.

• Project Name: EXPO austrian pavilion
• Project Category: Iconic Building (Built)| Sustainable Project – Architecture (Built)
• Studio Name: querkraft architekten zt gmbh
• Design Team: jakob dunkl, gerd erhartt, peter sapp, clemens russ, fabian kahr
• Area: 1.600 m²
• Year: 2019-2021
• Location: dubai, uae
• Consultants: werkraum wien, ingenieurbüro jung, obkircher plus, kieran fraser landscape desing,green4cities, wme engineering consultants
• Photography Credits: querkraft architekten, kieran fraser , patricia bagienski
• Text Credits: querkraft architekten

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