The Emirates Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, which took place in 2021 due to the covid pandemic, is both an exhibition centre and a hospitality facility for the national airline. We worked in collaboration with the pavilion designer and lead consultant, Pulse Group Ltd, along with a team based in London and Dubai to create this centrepiece structure.

In terms of aesthetics, the pavilion was designed to emulate the future of aviation and, as a building, was required to incorporate hospitality and exude a sense of contemporary comfort. We created an exterior elevation with ‘aerofoil’ solar shading to provide climate control and an evocation of flight. Inside, we designed a seamless and flowing spatial experience delivering a ‘streamlined’ look and feel.

On the ground floor, the building includes an exhibition space, public café and restaurant area. VIP Meeting rooms and hospitality are located on the upper floors. A native species desert garden at the front of the building creates a shaded, green experience for visitors as they wait to enter the pavilion.

We completed the architectural design and team coordination from concept to detailed design. In line with the key Expo theme of sustainability and energy efficiency, we worked with MEP Consultants Atelier Ten to specify an exceptionally sustainable building. Thermally modelled to reduce climate control requirements, the pavilion also includes mixed mode ventilation to reduce air conditioning use.

Although the Expo has now finished, the Emirates Pavilion will stay as a permanent fixture on the site and will be integrated within the future development of the area.

The Tate+Co team swiftly understood how to push the pavilion concept design through to on-site delivery and their execution and coordination of the design process was exemplary.”

Ghislaine Kohler, Group Account Director, The Pulse Group