"Food for Thought" at UAE Pavilion Milan Expo

“Food for Thought” at UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015. The national pavilion for the United Arab Emirates occupies a large site close to the center of the Milan Expo and is accessed via its main circulation axis, the decumanus.

You may also like Mexico pavilion.

” Food for Thought ” at UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

Project Description From the desk of an Architect :

The national pavilion for the United Arab Emirates occupies a large site close to the center of the Milan Expo. and is accessed via its main circulation axis, the decumanus. From here, visitors are drawn into the mouth of a canyon-like space. defined by two undulating 12-metre-high walls.

Influenced by ancient planning principles. the UAE pavilion interior evokes the narrow pedestrian streets. And courtyards of the traditional desert city, and its contemporary reinterpretation in the sustainable Masdar masterplan.

The high walls continue through the 140 metre site in a series of parallel waves, unifying the visitor spaces within a dynamic formal language designed to convey the ridges and texture of sand dunes.

A ramp leads gently upwards from the entrance towards the auditorium.

Along this route, the irrigation aqueducts that have historically supported agriculture in the region are introduced in digital form. The path leads to a state-of-the-art auditorium, contained within a drum at the heart of the site.

After the screening, visitors follow a route through further interactive displays and digital talks, including a special exhibit celebrating Dubai as host city for the 2020 Expo. The pavilion responds to the Milan Expo’s theme of ‘feeding the planet’ by integrating a variety of dining options around the theme of modern Emirati food.

The exhibition trail culminates in a green oasis leading into a ground level cafe, with a formal restaurant on the first floor and a hospitality roof terrace on top.

Conveying a unique sense of place, the landscaping around the uae pavilion is designed to evoke the UAE’s terrain and flora. while the texture of the walls derives from a scan of dunes and represents the different shades of sand across the Emirates.

The design targets LEED ‘Platinum’ through a combination of passive principles and active techniques, from capturing rainwater on the roof garden to integrating photovoltaic cells. Most significantly, the building is designed to be recycled.

The GRC wall panels are supported by a steel frame, which can be easily demounted and reconstructed for the pavilion’s eventual relocation in the UAE.

Sustainability :

Mobility + Connectivity

Transportation within the Exhibition Site and along the Site perimeter road will be carried out by electrical or zero-emission vehicles A system of electrical buses and a zero-emission car-sharing service will also be available on the Site perimeter road The goods transportation system will meet the same standards of environmental efficiency as it will feature a large fleet of fully electrical or zero-emission vehicles.

Materials + Waste

Priority use of local materials with recycled content. Materials will be selected for durability for the Expo and their long term re-use – the building will be demounted in Milan and reconstructed in Abu Dhabi. Any resultant waste will be recycled or salvaged.

The design of the uae pavilion incorporates appropriate space for the systematic and hygienic collection and segregation for 100% of operational waste generated by the UAE Pavilion during the Expo.

Recycled organic waste streams together with the food waste from the restaurant will then be reused and treated locally by a local small-scale anaerobic digester.

Water

Rainwater harvesting from roof and hard surfaces, for growth of food for the pavilion restaurant, resulting in no use of potable water for non-potable purposes. Commitment to efficient selection of fixtures and fittings to minimize water consumption. Metering of sub-use. Use of low intensity adaptive planting in the landscaped areas with little to no irrigation requirement. Expect water savings of >40%.

Land + Ecology

‘Green roof’ realized by the use of Sedum, photo voltaic panels, solar thermal panels and food production reducing heat island effect. Greater than 60% open space within the plot and an internal oasis courtyard, with significant elements of shading for visitors. Food production on the roof of the pavilion for use in the on-site restaurant.

Wellbeing

Optimization of the buildings mass and form to enhance the local micro climate. and increase internal and external comfort level. Reduction in light pollution through careful and sensitive design of external light fittings alongside good daylight and views out for office accommodation with glare control. Increased ventilation: +30% fresh air rate.

Prosperity

A priority is given to local suppliers of products to support the local economy.

Planning for Change

The UAE pavilion is designed to be dismantled in Milan and transported to the UAE and reconstructed.

Facts and Figures of UAE Pavilion :

appointment: 2013.
projected construction start: 2014.
projected completion: 2015.
site area: 4,386 sqm.
area (gross): 5,000 sqm.
net internal area: 3,500 sqm.
exhibition area: 1,175 sqm.
number of floors: 2-3.
building height: 17m.
building length: 140m.
building width: 40m.
building capacity: 785 people per hour.

Architects: Foster + Partners.
Design Team: Norman Foster, David Nelson, Spencer de Grey, Gerard Evenden, Martin Castle, John Blythe, Andre Ford, Giovanna Sylos Labini, Ronald Schuurmans, Daniel Skidmore, Andrea Soligon, Davide Conti, Giuseppe Lucibello.
Collaborating Architect: Marco Visconti.
Client : National Media Council.
Structural Engineer: Foster + Partners.
Mechanical + Electrical Engineer: Foster + Partners, Manens-Tifs.
Local Collaborating Fire Engineer: GAE Engineering S.r.l.
Quantity Surveyor: Fraser Randall.
Landscape Consultant: WATG.
Lighting Consultant: David Atkinson.
Acoustic Consultant: Sandy Brown Associates.
Project Manager: Fraser Randall.
Area: 5000.0 sqm.
Year: 2015.
Photographs: Foster + Partners.