Expomobilia, on behalf of the Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, is being lauded for both its concept, a biotope in the desert, as well as its sustainable building approach. The construction materials were locally rented and are reusable, recyclable or biodegradable. The temporary circular climate system has received the “Sustainable Construction Project of the year” award at “The Big 5 Impact Awards,” which is a prestigious construction award show in the UAE. The sustainability project was established with a holistic approach in terms of architecture, design, materialization and construction. The creative collaboration of the main contractor Expomobilia, V8 Architects, engineering firm Witteveen+Bos and experience designers Kossmanndejong collectively brought the 3,493m2 closed circulation system of the Netherlands Pavilion to life.
H.E. Carel Richter, commissioner general for the Netherlands Pavilion and Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Dubai says, “Every recognition is an achievement. I’m very proud that the Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai won this prestigious sustainable construction project award. From October 1 onward, we will show Expo 2020 visitors that sustainability solutions is our core business and through creative, strategic partnerships the Netherlands is coherent partner that contributes to ensuring water, energy and food security.’
The Netherlands Pavilion’s central design was created with the core focus on sustainability in mind. An 18-meter-high cone-like structure, named, “The Food Cone,” is covered with a variety of edible plants whilst oyster mushrooms surround the inside of the cone. SunGlacier Technologies developed the solar-powered rain shower ‘SunGlacier’, a Dutch innovation that allows us to harvest hundreds of liters water at our pavilion every day. The solar panels, devised by solar designer Marjan van Aubel, together with regular solar roof panels, provide the SunGlacier innovation with electricity. The business facilities have pleated curtains designed by BuroBelén made from biodegradable textile material, measuring 44-meter-wide by 14-meter-long. sThe floor tiles and acoustic walls designed by Mogu consists of a 650m² of bio-based mycelium material which is the vegetative part of mushrooms. Dietmar Kautschitz, Project & Construction Manager at Expomobilia comments: “Our extensive experience, ability to be open-minded to unconventional ideas, and a strong sense of synergy with various parties and principles, were integral to our success. The level of dedication and teamwork displayed across our large, multinational team was the reason behind the successful execution of the pavilion!”
The Netherlands Pavilion project has been awarded at “The Big 5 Construction Impact Awards” in the “Best Sustainable Construction Project of the year” category based on its unique sustainability concept, and reusable material construction approach. The award ceremony took place on September 12 at the World Trade Center in Dubai.
