Australian architecture firm design a key pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

Prominent Australian architecture firm Cox Architecture have designed the Opportunity Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which opens its doors to the public on 20 October 2020.

The Opportunity Pavilion, one of three expo-themed pavilions, will examine the role people can play in supporting sustainable development. The pavilion design will be concrete-free and made from organic materials including timber, stone and woven rope. It will showcase Cox Architecture’s innovative and sustainable designs to the Expo’s international audience, an anticipated 25 million visits over six months.

Australia’s Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai Justin McGowan spoke with Steve Woodland, Creative Director for Cox Architecture, about the inspiration behind the design and the firm’s involvement with the event.

In keeping with a key objective of the Opportunity Pavilion, to inspire empathy in visitors to act to create a better world and improve opportunities for all, Mr Woodland said a key hallmark of the design was a giant curved parasol that would spread across the side of the Pavilion providing shelter as a “gesture of global community, bringing people together”. The design was about “empowering the individual to make decisions in a call-to-action for the future of the globe”.

Expo 2020 Dubai will provide a global platform from which to promote the best of Australian innovation and ingenuity and connect Australian businesses to growth opportunities. To hear more about Cox Architecture’s design and opportunities for Australian businesses at Expo 2020 Dubai, click here.