Asif Khan Imagines celestial gateways “Mashrabiya” for Expo 2020 Dubai
12/02/2020.
Expo 2020 Dubai [Dubai] UAE
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
Asif khan studio designed the Expo Entry Portals that will welcome millions of visitors from around the world to Expo 2020 Dubai.
The World Expo, running from the 20th of October 2020 till the 10th of April 2021, has revealed, with just over 250 days to go until the opening, three majestic Entry Portals to welcome visitors from all over the world.
The World Expo, running from the 20th of October 2020 till the 10th of April 2021, has revealed, with just over 250 days to go until the opening, three majestic Entry Portals to welcome visitors from all over the world.
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Expo 2020 Dubai’s entry portals by Asif Khan. Photograph by Helene Binet
Asif Khan takes inspiration from the latticework present in the traditional "mashrabiya" among Arabic dwellings, the three portals are woven entirely from strands of ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre composite that lend incredible structural strength.
This enables the ethereal structures to stand 21 metres high – taller than a six-storey building – and 30 metres long without any additional support.
The intricate portals were developed over the course of a three-year iterative design process in collaboration with an aircraft engineer and a manufacturer specializing in large format carbon composite.
Each portal features two vast doors, 21 metres high and 10.5 metres wide, that will be opened every morning of the 173 days of Expo 2020 in a symbolic act of welcoming the world. The portals lead to tree-filled arrival courtyards, also designed in collaboration with Khan – one in each of the three Expo 2020 districts: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
"Designing the Public Realm for Expo 2020 Dubai is a seminal moment for my practice; each aspect of the design invites visitors to immerse themselves in shared Islamic culture, art and language in dialogue with the future spirit of Expo. As visitors explore the many facets of the Public Realm designs, from the Expo Entry Portals to the seating I made with Lara Captan, I hope it leaves them with an unforgettable sense and experience of place."
Asif Khan.
The structures are the first element to be fully revealed of Expo 2020’s Public Realm, which comprises more than six kilometres of walkable areas across the site.
Expo 2020 Dubai will open on October 20, 2020 and end on April 10, 2021.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Structural Engineer.- Calin Gologan.
Client
Expo 2020 Dubai.
Manufacturer
Ha-Co Carbon GmbH
Photography
Helene Binet
ASIF KHAN
Asif Khan (born 1979, London) founded his architecture practice in 2007. The studio works internationally on projects ranging from cultural buildings to houses, temporary pavilions, exhibitions and installations. Notable projects include the ‘MegaFaces’ pavilion at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Coca-Cola Beatbox Pavilion at London 2012 Olympics and most recently he was a finalist in the competition for the Helsinki Guggenheim Museum and the British Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Red Dot award for Design, Cannes Lion Grand Prix for Innovation, a D&AD award, Special citation in Young Architect Programme 2011 MAXXI + MoMA/PS1, Design Miami Designer of the Future in 2011 and Design Museum Designer in Residence 2010. Khan lectures globally on his work, sits on the board of Trustees of the Design Museum and teaches MA Architecture at the Royal College of Art.
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