2015年米兰世博会阿联酋馆/福斯特事务所

鸟瞰图——整体跨度140米

the project, which will be located close to the center of the expo, will be accessed from the site's main circulation axis - the 'decumanus'. from this entrance point, visitors are enticed inside the pavilion between two twelve meter walls, forming a canyon-like opening. envisaged as a series of parallel weaves, the curved and undulating partitions call to mind the ridges and texture of sand dunes, while also controlling solar access - a more pressing concern once the structure is transported to the UAE. reflecting time-honored planning methods, internal pathways echo the narrow pedestrian streets and courtyards associated with desert towns and villages.

内部通道的设计——探索沙漠文明

guests circulate along a sinuous ramp, where a range of objects can be interacted with via a personal tablet dispensed at the pavilion's entrance - offering attendees an experience which is at once educational and entertaining. the path then leads to a large auditorium, contained within a drum at the heart of the site. visitors then follow a path interspersed with further digital talks and multi-media displays, including an exhibit celebrating dubai as the host city for the next expo in 2020.

(左)动物和地形设计反映了阿联酋的风景 
(右)连接馆的主要流通渠道

responding to the expo's encompassing theme of 'feeding the planet, energy for life', the scheme offers insights on nutrition and sustainability, following four fundamental keywords: sustain, care, innovate and share. at the end of the exhibition trail a range of on-site dining facilities are housed within a three storey structure, with a ground level café providing guests with a variety of emirati food options. a formal restaurant is found at first floor level, while above a roof garden, complete with juice bar, offers views across the entirety of the site.

the design is intended to have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any of the expo's pavilions, with a LEED target of 'platinum'. this is to be achieved through the implementation of both passive principles and active techniques - from rainwater capture on the roof garden, to the integration of photovoltaic cells. further reducing the scheme's carbon output, designs were presented at a live press conference connecting hubs in london, milan and abu dhabi.

'we are very proud to be chosen again to create the national pavilion for the UAE. our challenge has been to design for two climates – to create a naturally cool, comfortable space for visitors in milan, while considering the pavilion's ultimate reconstruction in the emirates, where there is a need to provide shade from the intense sun', explainednorman foster.