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The US pavilion aims to immerse visitors in innovation, showcasing technologies and concepts such as hyperloop.

Expo 2020 pavilions make headway

01 October 2020

A number of countries participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai – which has now been postponed to run from October 1, next year to March 31, 2022 have been moving ahead with the construction work on their pavilions at this world-class event, with many of them reporting impressive progress. The US pavilion is expected to be completed in November, according to John Rakolta, the US Ambassador to the UAE.

“We look forward to substantial buildings’ completion sometime around November 15,” he said during a virtual media roundtable with a selected group of journalists.

Located in the Mobility thematic district, the US pavilion aims to immerse visitors in innovation, showcasing technologies and concepts such as hyperloop with the potential to move humanity into the future.

The dynamic structure has been designed by renowned American architect Curtis W Fentress. In line with its theme, ‘What Moves You? The Spirit of Mobility’, the circular pavilion features slants fashioned to project the sensation of movement, giving the impression that the building itself is in motion.

A rendering of Austria’s pavilion ... the outer shells of the 38 cones that form the pavilion are completed.

“It [the expo participation] is one of the [US] embassy’s top priorities. We look forward to the very best of American participation. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the UAE’s golden jubilee and many achievements of this nation,” stated Rakolta.

The US Expo 2020 organisers have roped in Thinkwell Group and Global Ties US for the exhibition, operations, and the cultural programming at the US pavilion.

Meanwhile, Austria has reached an important milestone with the completion of the basic structure of its pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai under the UAE authorities’ health and safety rules for construction sites in Dubai in context of the pandemic, a media report said.

“The postponement of the World Expo until October 2021 made it necessary to adapt the timeline for the construction of the Austria Pavilion,” Austria’s Commissioner General Beatrix Karl was quoted as saying in a WAM report.

“Phase One of construction is now finished, with the completion of the outer shell,” Karl added.

The ground-breaking ceremony on the 2,400-sq-m plot that is home to the Austria Pavilion was held in October 2019, and the first of 38 cones that form the pavilion was completed in spring 2020. The cones have a diameter of 7 m at the base, are between 6 and 15 m high and intersect one another to form space sequences of varying sizes.

A total of 246 prefabricated elements were connected by couplings to form the 38 cones. This will make disassembly after use easy, and will allow reassembly at a different location.

“Construction of Phase Two will last until the beginning of 2021. The exhibits, fittings, and furnishings will be installed in plenty of time before the opening,” explained Karl.

Austria sees Expo 2020 Dubai as an opportunity to bring the world together following the impact of the current pandemic. “We must now take action beyond national borders and across the relevant disciplines to build a robust recovery together,” said Margarete Schramboeck, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs.

She added that the World Expo next year will offer a unique platform for addressing open issues, potential solutions, and experiences gained during the global crisis and for drawing important conclusions. “Austria will present itself as a reliable business partner and innovation hub in challenging times,” said Minister Schramboeck.

“The coronavirus has also impacted Austria’s successful, export-oriented economy. Our participation in the World Expo in Dubai – with more than 190 participating countries and innumerable businesspeople from around the world – is an important step in getting exports back up to speed as quickly as possible,” stressed Harald Mahrer, president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

The exhibition is being curated and run by Ars Electronica Solutions and büro wien. Around 100 Austrian companies are participating in the Expo, which still bears the name “Expo 2020 Dubai” despite its postponement until 2021.

Austria’s presence at the Expo 2020 is being financed with funds from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.