Al Wasl Plaza has been nominated for a Dezeen Award in the Cultural Building category for 2022. The best, most creative studios and individual architects are honoured by Dezeen, one of the most important architectural and design publications in the world.
Al Wasl Plaza is one of 322 structures from 48 other nations that have been nominated for the prestigious yearly awards.
The building, which has a 130-meter circle and stands more than 67 metres tall, features an immersive projection experience. Its delicate-looking pattern was modelled on a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age ring discovered in the UAE, and it is known as the beating heart of the Expo 2020 site. The ring served as the model for the Expo 2020 Dubai logo.
The name Al Wasl, which means “the connection,” was chosen to honour the area’s history as a regional gathering place. The open area served as a focal point for gatherings during Expo 2020 Dubai and will continue to stand out as a feature of District 2020.
Al Wasl Plaza, created by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, was intended to be a microclimate that makes use of design and special materials to create a year-round usable semi-outdoor environment.
The interior of the dome’s sloped construction provided covered landscaped spaces throughout the day for a range of events, from intimate performances to massive concerts and dramatic shows. The world’s largest 360-degree immersive projection was used at night to transform the building into a spectacle.
Another Expo 2020 structure made the Dezeen Awards shortlist in two categories the previous year.
One of the 12 finalists will be declared the overall architecture project of the year after the shortlisted projects are published in September and the category winners are recognised in November.