BIG, Foster + Partners, and Grimshaw to design 2020 World Expo theme pavilions

Following the 2015 World Expo in Milan, the festival is moving to Dubai for the 2020 World Expo. Last July, developer Emaar Properties (on behalf of Expo 2020) launched an international competition to find the architects who will design the pavilions representing Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability, which all pertain to the Expo's overall "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" theme. Proposals had to represent one of the Expo's core themes, as well as have the adaptability and longevity to stand as landmarks and functional structures after the event ends in 2021. The structures will be the centerpieces of the 2 square-kilometer Expo site, which is being masterplanned by HOK, along with Populous and Arup. The pavilions will showcase the latest ideas, innovations and developments in architectural design to the millions of visitors expected to attend.

Competition was fierce among the 13 participating architecture firms, all who are already at the top of their game. In the end, Bjarke Ingels Group had the winning design for the Opportunity Pavilion, Foster + Partners for Mobility, and Grimshaw Architects was appointed to design the Sustainability Pavilion.

Have a look at their designs below.

Grimshaw Architects: Sustainability Pavilion

Foster + Partners: Mobility Pavilion

Bjarke Ingels Group: Opportunity Pavilion

“Expo 2020 will be a festival of human ingenuity. We hope that the nations and organizations that take part in Expo, and the millions who visit, will explore the power of connections across the spheres of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability”, stated Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. “Our theme pavilions will play a central role in bringing this to life.”