Dubai Expo 2020: Winning designs announced

Thirteen of the world's leading architectural firms took part in a global competition, launched in July 2015 by Emaar Properties on behalf of Expo 2020. The competition sought to identify the designs for the three theme pavilions of: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, under the Expo's 2020 theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. Pavilions and their iconic architecture are central to World Expos, and the three pavilions will be centrepieces that showcase the latest ideas, innovations and developments whilst providing the visitors with an immersive and memorable experience.Shaikh Ahmed congratulated the winners. "The competition attracted a truly stellar line up of architectural firms that each put forward designs that impressed all those involved in the selection process. After careful study and consideration, three designs stood out, amidst tough competition, as great future structures that will mark our Expo as exceptional." A key criterion for the competition was ensuring that the designs not only embodied one of Expo's core themes, but also had the flexibility and longevity to live on as landmarks and functional structures after the Expo is complete in 2021. The winning design for the Opportunity Pavilion was submitted by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), a group of architects, designers, builders and thinkers based in Copenhagen and New York. Their design philosophy reflects a belief that contemporary urban life is a result of the confluence of cultural exchange, global economic trends and communication technologies. BIG are known for its innovative approach to architecture and are currently working on the design of a new headquarters for Google.   Khaleej Times