Dutch pavilion at Dubai Expo to have its own microclimate

The Dutch pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 will use a plant tower to create its own microclimate. The project is being developed by V8 Architects, collaborating with Expomobilia, Kossmann Dejong and Witteveen + Bos, in the fair’s sustainability district. At the center of the building will be a huge cone-shaped structure covered in concentric rings of plants. This will allow the space to function as a biotope - a naturally controlled environment with its own microclimate. "We designed a pavilion that is more of a biotope than a building," the design team said in a video, "a miniature world where the climate is controlled naturally - water, energy and food are intrinsically connected."

The central cone will be surrounded by a rectangular building and will be visible to visitors to the exhibition from outside the pavilion through its transparent façade. Inside there will be a large exhibition space, as well as an auditorium, restaurant, VIP lounge and shop. The temporary building will be constructed entirely from a combination of locally sourced or rented materials and, after the exhibition, will be returned and reused. The pavilion is the result of a multi-year project by the Netherlands to research the relationships between resources in the Gulf region. The central theme seeks to connect water, energy and food. The Dubai Expo is expected to attract more than 25 million visitors, with masterplanning by HOK and architects Foster + Partners, BIG and Grimshaw designing pavilions.