Intriguing Maze Pavilion for Austria in Dubai Expo 2020

Viennese architecture Firm, Querkraft won the competition to design Austria‘s Pavilion for Dubai’s Expo 2020. In response to the theme of the Expo—”Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, Querkraft has designed it to be a maze of cones.
The Austrian Pavilion will be competing with 180 countries and its organizers, participating in Expo 2020.  The pavilion is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. The Former Federal Minister of Austria Beatrix Karl was appointed as the honorary commissioner of the World Expo.

Elevation

The Austrian pavilion will be located between the Chinese and Swiss pavilions in the ‘opportunity’ district. ‘Opportunity’ is one of the Expo’s three sub-themes. It is about “unlocking the  potential within individuals and communities to shape the future.”

Plan

In an era where information for complex issues can create misleading answers, the maze pavilion focuses on innovation. It is about asking questions and creating the necessary space to find the answers. The pavilion concentrates on the framework of transformation and engaging a dialogue about what is essential for a better world and an empathic life.
Presenting Austria to be the center of innovation, the Pavillion will focus on questions that tackle the economic and respectful use of resources in the future.
The Vienna-based Querkraft’s proposal was selected following a two-stage final competition. 43 teams from varied creative fields participated in that competition. The contestants were required to work on the architecture of the pavilion, the design of the exhibition, and integration between the exterior spaces and interior activities of the pavilion.

Section

The maze pavilion comprises a grid of cones, featuring traditional building materials that are set together using modern construction techniques. The use of natural materials creates a sense of comfort and a tranquil atmosphere. The grid of truncated cones brings about playful light and shadow aesthetics. The carefully constructed arcs invite visitors to sit and wonder about the world, amid the hustle and bustle of the expo.

Diagram

Expo 2020 is the first world exhibition to be held in an Arab country, throughout its 170-­year long history. It will run from October 20, 2020, to April 10, 2021, in Dubai.
All Images courtesy of  Querkraft.

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