Design The Dutch pavilion is the embodiment of the Netherlands’ chosen theme of ‘uniting water, energy, food’ and demonstrates the connection this country is so good at making between sustainable energy, water management, agriculture and circularity. Inside the pavilion visitors are treated to a sensorially rich experience of Dutch know-how and skills in the field of innovative water, energy and food harvesting. The circular or closed-loop climate concept generates a world in which visitors are able to immerse themselves in silence, warmth, coolness, light, darkness, agriculture and water, and in which they can discover natural phenomena that contribute to climate control. In Dubai’s dry desert climate, the Netherlands will create a temporary biotope.

Striking combination of solidity and refinement The pavilion will be built using a construction method and materialization that makes the closed-loop circularity concept intelligible. To minimize transport, the entire pavilion will be constructed with locally sourced construction materials. All materials will be either given back or recycled after the expo closes, a strategy that will keep the pavilion’s ecological footprint as small as possible. Building on the Netherlands’ international reputation for excellence in civil engineering, which is especially strong in the Gulf region, the pavilion is a temporary exercise in pragmatism. In contrast to the civil engineering character of the exterior, the interior adds a scintillating layer of light, tactility and refinement, inspired by the typical rhythm of the Dutch landscape and geometric patterns and elements from the Arabic culture.

Meeting point The Dutch pavilion (3,727 m²) is in the Sustainability district and forms the culmination of the Netherlands’ multi-year campaign in the Gulf region, focusing on Dutch expertise in the domain of water-energy-food. In addition to its presentation of ‘the Netherlands’, the pavilion is also a meeting point for the business community, educational and research institutions, governments and social organizations.

Project Fact Sheet

*         Project Name : Dutch pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020

*         Location : Expo 2020 site,  Dubai

*         Use : Dutch pavilion with an exhibition space, auditorium, restaurant, VIP lounge and shop

*         Site Area : 2170 ㎡

*         Bldg. Area : 1618 ㎡

*         Gross Floor Area : 3335 ㎡

*         Structure : Steel (re-usable sheet piling and stamps)

*         Max. Height : 15m (chimney 27.6m)

*         Landscape Area : 432㎡

*         Parking Lot : none

*         Exterior Finish : Steel, biological based tiles, textiles and bio-plastics. 

*         Design participation:

·                    Architect: V8 Architects

·                    Pavilion construction & main contractor: Expomobilia AG

·                    Interactive visitor experiences: Kossmann.dejong

·                    Integrated services and construction engineering: Witteveen+Bos

·                    Circular principles and climate concept: Aardlab

·                    Circular food system: Sign

·                    Dutch innovative suppliers involved in the development of the pavilion concept:

·                    Caventou (solar energy elements), Koppert Cress (seedlings of unique plants), Felixx (design exterior space), Buro Belén (textiles)

*         Architects / Designer :

·                    Michiel Raaphorst (architect-director and co-founder)

·                    Rudolph Eilander (architect-director and co-founder)

·                    David Spierings (associate architect and project director)

·                    Jeroen van Rijen (technical project leader)

·                    Bob Robertus (architect)

·                    Egle Kalonaityte (architect)

·                    Emilia Serowiec (3d specialist/architect)

*         Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Netherlands Enterprise Agency

*         Impressions: ©V8 Architects