São Paulo – The United Arab Emirates pavilion in Expo 2020, the world exhibition set to take place in Dubai, will cost AED 353 million (USD 96 million). Arabtec Construction will be tasked with building the facilities designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, local newspaper Gulf News has reported.
Calatrava’s pavilion design was inspired by a falcon in flight. His work was chosen in an international competition that saw nine companies submit 11 different designs.
In turn, Arabtec outdid three other local and international bidders companies shortlisted from a total of nine bids. Construction will start this month and completion is expected by late 2019.
“The UAE pavilion will be one of the most important landmarks at the Expo 2020 Dubai, reflecting the authenticity and heritage of the UAE, its achievements in various sectors as well as the nation’s values of openness, communication and tolerance, which are in line with the main theme of the exhibition,” the National Media Council (NMC), the government entity tasked with building and operating the UAE pavilion, said in a statement.
The pavilion will span 15,000 sqm. Expo 2020 is expected to welcome 25 million visitors from more than 180 countries.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum