Expo 2020 Dubai plans to bring sustainable architecture home

Tom Page, CNN
5 minute read
Published 8:03 PM EST, Wed March 6, 2019
Designed by doctoral students from architecture firm Formosa AA Inc, the Czech pavilion in the sustainability zone of Expo 2020 will utilize a "S.A.W.E.R" (Solar Air Water Earth Resource) system to create a green landscape in the desert. One part of the system generates water from the air using solar power, while another cultivates fertile ground.
Designed by doctoral students from architecture firm Formosa AA Inc, the Czech pavilion in the sustainability zone of Expo 2020 will utilize a "S.A.W.E.R" (Solar Air Water Earth Resource) system to create a green landscape in the desert. One part of the system generates water from the air using solar power, while another cultivates fertile ground.
Formosa AA Inc.
The pavilion design will feature an array of bioplastic pipes connected to the S.A.W.E.R system, combining form and function.
The pavilion design will feature an array of bioplastic pipes connected to the S.A.W.E.R system, combining form and function.
Formosa AA Inc.
Designed by Vienna-based Querkraft, the Austrian pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai utilizes traditional Gulf building methods that its architects believe could reduce energy consumption by 72%.
Designed by Vienna-based Querkraft, the Austrian pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai utilizes traditional Gulf building methods that its architects believe could reduce energy consumption by 72%.
courtesy Querkraft
Giant interlacing cones made of concrete and finished with a layer of rammed clay give the structure strong heat-absorbing qualities, meaning that when pavilion entrances are opened up to the night air and then closed off during the day, it stays cool. The design is inspired by the traditional "barjeel," or wind tower.
Giant interlacing cones made of concrete and finished with a layer of rammed clay give the structure strong heat-absorbing qualities, meaning that when pavilion entrances are opened up to the night air and then closed off during the day, it stays cool. The design is inspired by the traditional "barjeel," or wind tower.
courtesy Querkraft
Spain's pavilion, designed by Madrid-based amann-canovas-maruri, features 17 conical tents above its exhibition area. The cones act as solar chimneys, a form of natural ventilation that encourages hot air out of the top of the pavilion while drawing in fresh air at the bottom.
Spain's pavilion, designed by Madrid-based amann-canovas-maruri, features 17 conical tents above its exhibition area. The cones act as solar chimneys, a form of natural ventilation that encourages hot air out of the top of the pavilion while drawing in fresh air at the bottom.
Amann-Canovas-Maruri
Architect Nicolas Maruri says the firm is still working towards how it will execute the design, and that it plans to use recycled materials in its construction.
Architect Nicolas Maruri says the firm is still working towards how it will execute the design, and that it plans to use recycled materials in its construction.
Amann-Canovas-Maruri
Some of the exhibiting space (seen here from above) will be buried 15 feet below ground level, helping to reduce interior temperatures.
Some of the exhibiting space (seen here from above) will be buried 15 feet below ground level, helping to reduce interior temperatures.
Amann-Canovas-Maruri
The Dutch pavilion was designed by a consortium including V8 Architects and will be built from a large amount of rented sheet piling -- a construction material normally used in excavation and earth retainment.
The Dutch pavilion was designed by a consortium including V8 Architects and will be built from a large amount of rented sheet piling -- a construction material normally used in excavation and earth retainment.
V8 Architects
Inside the pavilion a biotope, a self-contained natural environment, is planned. Water will be generated by forced condensation, vegetables grown on the outside of a large central cone, and mushrooms grown on the interior.