Dubai Expo 2020 Speaks Futuristic: Light, Yet Monumental Portals by Asif Khan

Dubai Expo 2020 revealed the first images of its site portals. Designed by the British architecture studio Asif Khan; the three ultra-light, yet monumental site gates are ready to welcome almost 25 million visitors to the World Expo that will be held in Dubai starting from October 2020 to April 2021. The studio designed the three portals to be a landmark at the beginning and the end of the visitors’ journey in the 4.38 sq.km public realm; designed by HOK architects.

Photography by Helene Binet

Asif Khan follows the theme of Dubai Expo 2020: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, to design high-tech perfectly functioning gates that express a sense of place. The designers borrowed the concept of the famous Islamic architectural element: Mashrabiya -carved wooden panels that were used to enclose windows and balconies to control shadow and airflow- and modified it in their futuristic technology; by folding, scaling, and choosing the right material.

Photography by Helene Binet

“When you are given this opportunity to combine innovation and a sense of place you can suggest some kind of new regional aesthetic, which I see the portals as a means of exploring.” Said Khan. He spent three years on the design; trying to translate the experience of the transition from the past to the future; both physically and in a symbolic way. And to do this very lightly; carbon-fiber was the best material choice. It is both extremely light and very stiff, which helped the gigantic portals stand in stillness with no supporting structure.

Photography by Helene Binet

With the help of specialists in this technology; the UK based studio created its own technique to form the material. The carbon-fiber ribbons were woven into a 3D form, to function well in terms of shading and airflow. This futuristic approach to represent the futuristic theme of the Dubai Expo 2020 created a pattern projecting on both the earth and the sky.
Khan explained: “But when you approach them, the unexpected thinness of structure and airy-ness gives the structure a magical, gravity-defying quality.”

Such innovative work is expected from Khan. He always seeks an integrated design, where nature, matter, technology, and social activities are in harmony. It is also not his first participation in an international Expo, as Khan designed the UK Pavilion for the Astana Expo 2017, and was shortlisted to design the UK pavilion for the Milan Expo 2015 and The Mobility Pavilion for the upcoming Dubai Expo.

Photography by Helene Binet

The site of the Dubai Expo 2020 features three sub-themes; Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability; designed by BIG, Foster, and Grimshaw Architects. Each of the three portals leads towards one of the districts through tree-filled courtyards, also designed by Asif Khan. Each Portal features a door 21-meters high and 10.5-meters wide; generously providing different perspectives and a shifting geometry as you get closer to them.

Photography by Helene Binet

The Dubai Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA). It is almost ready to celebrate all kinds of human achievements and inspire the next generation to achieve more. This mega-event will last 173 days; introducing brand new experiences each day – have you ever read a poem in 3D?

Project Info: 
Architect: Asif Khan
Location: Dubai, UAE
Photographer: Helene Binet
Project Name: Dubai Expo 2020 Portals

 

 

 

 

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HIKMA – A Religious and Secular Complex | atelier masōmī + studio chahar

Designed by atelier masomi + studio chahar, In the 9th century AD, Muslim scholars made remarkable contributions to the sciences and humanities in Bagdad’s Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom, a library and research center housing the world’s largest collection of books for scholars to engage both theological and scientific matters.
Today’s religious climate could use such freedom to pursue knowledge alongside religious practice. With the support of local leaders, women, and youth, the Hikma project re-introduces these values embedded in Islam itself, by transforming a derelict mosque into a library that shares its site with a new mosque for the village of Dandaji in Niger. The project is a culture and education hub where the secular and religious peacefully co-exist to cultivate minds and strengthen the community.
To renovate the old building to its previous glory, the original masons are invited to join the project’s team. In the process, they learn about adobe-enhancing additives and erosion protection techniques. Instead of the region’s traditional but scarce wood, the interior renovation uses metal for study spaces, partitions, stairs, and a mezzanine level, as a contemporary touch to a traditional space.
The new building, in turn, re-interprets traditional Hausa mosque organization with contemporary structural support and detailing. Its two blocks and outdoor prayer space are suited to daily prayers, Friday assemblies, or large Eid celebrations. The dialog between the formal structures of the old and new leads to further collaboration between the traditional masons and the construction crew.
The project provides spaces for learning, reading, studying, workshop, play, and worship. The outdoor spaces are set to be flexible enough to accommodate community events or simply lend themselves to quiet contemplation. The cultural complex acts as a community hub for the region.
The programmed complex includes a 1000-person mosque including two main worship spaces, two ablution spaces, and a Minaret, 2 bedroom lodgings for the Imam of the mosque, a library, classrooms, reading and studying spaces, a hands-on workshop area, children’s play area, and a garden. The main construction material for the project is Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB) made from soil that is found near the site, which provides better thermal performance and lowers energy consumption. It also lowers the cost of construction.
Project Info:
Architects: atelier masomi, studio chahar
Location: Niger
Year: 2018
Photographs: James Wang, Mariama Kah
Project Name: HIKMA – A Religious and Secular Complex

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