UAE PAVILION “EXPO 2015” Milan

The Pavillion expands for 140 meters, near the cent¬er of the Expo and it can easily be reached through the main circulation axis called Decumanus. The mouth of a canyon-like space, defined by two undulating 12-metre-high walls, entices people to come inside. The paths through the pavilion call to mind an ancient desert city with narrow pedestrian streets and courtyards. The walls extend themselves throughout the site in a series of parallel waves reminding ridges and texture of sand dunes. The target of the floating structure is to transmit audience a sense of peace by using materials to express the different shades of sand across the Saudi Arabia. The main peculiarity is that the entire pavilion will be demounted at the end of Expo 2015 and rebuilt in the Emirates.

as collaborating architect for Foster & Partners