NMC Expo Team reveals plan for UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2015 Milan

Abu Dhabi: Plans for the UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2015 Milan were presented to H. H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed al Nahyan and other members of the National Media Council during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. The building design, prepared by Foster and Partners in conjunction with the UAE's Expo Development Team for 2015, was presented to the meeting by Project Director, Dr. Peter Vine. The UAE has chosen as its theme: Food for Thought: Shaping and Sharing the Future', underpinning the theme for the entire EXPO of Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life.' Sheikh Abdulla expressed his appreciation of the work undertaken by the EXPO Team, under the auspices of the National Media Council, and his strong interest in both the theme itself and the major focus on world food supplies that will take place in Milan during the EXPO event. "The UAE pavilion will entertain and inform over 2 million attendees and many more through our digital platforms. It will further enhance global perceptions of the UAE, deepen our friendship and ties with Italy and hopefully motivate thousands of Italians to visit the UAE," commented Sheikh Abdulla. Dr. Vine explained that the UAE's story for EXPO 2015 covers four key concepts encapsulated by the words: Sustain, Care, Innovate and Share. The compelling story will engage and entertain visitors who will be treated to a technically unique and highly memorable experience. The UAE Pavilion will be situated on one of the largest sites at the EXPO and is close to the centre of the entire park. The UAE has a strong record at recent EXPOs, listed in the top five at Hannover 2000; winning a gold medal at Zaragoza in 2008; being voted the most popular pavilion at Shanghai in 2010 and taking a silver medal in 2012 at Yeosu, Korea. It is aiming high once again in its participation in Italy where the EXPO will open in May 2015. Key elements of the building itself are its visual impact, inspired by the high dunes of the desert, inviting people to enter and discover how the country is managing its own food and energy related issues whilst also helping others tackle their own challenges. High curving walls create winding pathways that are inspired by traditional architecture whilst reflecting the modern architecture of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. It is planned that the building will be dismantled after the EXPO and returned to the UAE where it will form a Visitor Centre at Masdar City. "We are employing a wide range of passive and active sustainable techniques in the design and construction of the building, ensuring that it meets international and local standards in both Milan and Abu Dhabi", Vine explained. Detailed Design of the project is due for completion at the end of this year with construction due to commence in 2014. – Emirates News Agency, WAM