Gulf Construction Online - Work begins on Expo 2020 Finnish Pavilion

UAE Focus

A concept of the Finnish Expo 2020 pavilion.

Work begins on Expo 2020 Finnish Pavilion

01 September 2019

Construction work was launched on site late last month (August) on Finland’s Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai, a world-class event that is scheduled to open on October 20 next year.

“We are among the first countries to have started the construction work on their pavilions at the Expo 2020 site,” remarked Severi Keinälä, commissioner-general Finland at Dubai Expo 2020, who is spearheading the project.

“Finland’s Pavilion is inspired by the white blanket of snow that covers the Finnish landscape from autumn onwards,” he added.

The pavilion resembles a snow-covered tent and takes its inspiration from Finnish nature, design and innovation.

The pavilion will be a metal structure that will be built by Cimolai Middle East. It will be clad with sandwich panels.

The tender for the construction of the Finland Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai was awarded to the international project team of Expomobilia (Switzerland), JKMM Architects (Finland), Factor Nova (Finland), Beyond Limits (UAE), and Five Currents (US).

JKMM Architects with the help of Five Currents and Factor Nova have put together the design concept for the building and Expomobilia, as global general contractor, is looking after the overall planning and project management in the implementation process. Factor Nova, Beyond Limits and Five Currents have an advisory and support role across all phases of the project from design to delivery.

The structure is expected to be topped out by the end of this year.

Elaborating on the simple, elegant design that reflects Finnish architecture, Keinälä said: “The Finnish pavilion is a meeting space, a tent where connections between Finnish and Arab minds can be fostered.

“Externally, the shape is simple but refined. In the middle of the pavilion, a dynamic wooden space ‘the Gorge’, is carved into the building, offering Expo visitors a pleasantly cool and shaded retreat.

“The Gorge also relates to the unique Finnish history of innovation, which often involves thinking out of the box, an element of surprise. In the pavilion, the surprise is the wooden heart and exhibits inside.

“Finland is known for providing solutions,” the commissioner-general told media delegates during a recent press trip to the country, adding that the pavilion will showcase Finland’s innovative spirit, technology and focus on nature and sustainability, in accordance with the motto of the Expo 2020 Dubai: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

Some 43 Finnish partners, representing 100 companies, are expected to showcase their products and services within the pavilion. Among them are Kone, Granlund Group, Nokia, Halton, Wärtsilä, Finnish Water Forum, Metso, Collaprime and iLOQ.