One pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is nestled among winding roads, shady enclaves, and lush gardens brimming with flora and animals from the neighboring deserts. It’s a self-contained micro-ecosystem that uses photosynthesis to capture energy from sunshine and freshwater from humid air. It’s an architectural marvel that shows how architecture can respond to nature and transform the built environment for the benefit of both humans and the environment.
Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is a combination of breakthrough technology and highly introspective architecture that allows generous engagement with one of Expo 2020’s major subthemes, establishing it as one of the most environmentally conscious World Expos ever held.
It opened to tremendous acclaim and continues to captivate and educate tourists from all over the world. Grimshaw Architects, a world-renowned architectural firm recognized for its high-tech ideas and technical qualifications, is behind Terra, which means ‘Home Earth.’
Nature’s resourcefulness, as well as the United Arab Emirates’ biodiversity and diverse range of landscapes and coastal ecosystems, have all influenced the pavilion’s design. For example, Grimshaw Architects drew inspiration for the pavilion from Ghaf, the UAE’s national tree, which has a deep taproot that provides shade in the desert’s scorching heat. “The canopy includes over 9,000 square meters of high-efficiency solar panels laminated in glass that are clearly visible from the underside and allow dappled light to enter below,” Andrew explains.
The pavilion, which was designed by Grimshaw Architects and engineers Sherwood and Buro Happold, creates water from all available sources on site, including humid air, salty ground water taken near the surface, and recycled water. These methods have been paired with water-saving measures, resulting in a demand that is 80% lower than that of a conventional structure.