Gulf Construction Online - Reynaers’ profiles grace Green Arch at Expo 2020

Manufacturers & Procurement

The Belgium Pavilion ... striking.

Reynaers’ profiles grace Green Arch at Expo 2020

01 February 2022

As Golden Partner of the Belgian pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai, leading aluminium solutions provider Reynaers Aluminium said it is helping present the “heart and soul” of the European nation to the world with its high-quality aluminium glazing solutions.

Located in the Expo’s Mobility district, the Belgium Pavilion communicates the nation’s 2050 mobility vision in detail. Dubbed “The Green Arch”, the structure of the pavilion aims to send a message of hope.

“You will notice a large number of sustainable building strategies featured in the pavilion’s design. This demonstrates how architects and citizens can co-build ecological and inclusive urban communities in complete harmony,” said Dominique Schaeken, Chief Marketing Officer of Reynaers Aluminium.

Rising five floors high on a gross floor area of 4,824 sq m, the Belgian pavilion looks like an arched, floral monolith. Visitors can experience the Green Arch’s humble elegance, thanks to Belgian techniques, applications, products, and materials included in the design. From both the interior and the exterior of the structure, warmth in simplicity is key, she remarked.

“We feel honoured to contribute to a remarkable Belgian pavilion that inspires with new technological features. Many visitors have already tipped The Green Arch as one of the top 10 must-visit pavilions of the Dubai World Expo,” Schaeken added.

Sustainability is a central message at the World Expo, as it is for the Belgian delegation as well. “For example, Belgium’s energy-positive pavilion produces more energy than it consumes. Moreover, the contractors followed circular building principles and used recycled materials only. Even the wooden structure can be dismantled and reused afterwards,” she pointed out.

Belgian architects Vincent Callebaut and Assar designed the pavilion, while contracting firm Besix Group transformed the plan into reality. In partnership with BelExpo and Besix Group, Reynaers Aluminium delivered the structure’s aluminium glass façade profiles.

Expo 2020 Dubai, which opened on October 1, 2021 will run till March 31, 2022 with the central theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. Mobility, Sustainability, and Opportunity form the main topics within this theme. The Expo hosts 192 pavilions and, for the very first time, each country has its own pavilion bringing an immersive cultural experience for visitors to enjoy.

Ali Khalaf, Managing Director of Reynaers Aluminium Middle East, emphasised what having contributed to this project means to his team: “We are proud to help promote Belgium – the country where our parent company is headquartered – here in the Middle East. We have been present in the market for the past 17 years, and this project symbolises the intimate connection of the company with the region.”

Reynaers Group enfolds its several diverse companies in three business units, namely aluminium architectural solutions (Reynaers Aluminium), steel architectural solutions and building products. Founded in 1965, the Reynaers Group is active in more than 70 countries worldwide with 40 subsidiaries and 2,400 employees.

Reynaers Aluminium specialises in the development and marketing of innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors, curtain-walls, sliding systems, sun screening and conservatories.

Reynaers Middle East is based in Bahrain and caters to the entire GCC region in addition to Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. It has branch offices in the UAE, Egypt and Jordan.