With a striking presence, AGi architects have designed the pavilion "Mission Possible - The Pavilion of Opportunities" for Expo 2020 Dubai. This project aims to be a platform for social and intercultural engagement within the international Expo.

The pavilion is conceived as a large plaza that provides continuity to the Opportunity District in which it is located. The project builds on the rich urban history of the square as a place over time. 
Floating 32 meters above the ground, the canopy of the pavilion designed by AGi architects, represents clouds and dreams as inspiration. The clouds are ethereal, composed of six textile layers over metallic structures, protecting the square from direct sun exposure.

A terracotta "carpet" covers the floor and facades of the pavilion. This creates a backdrop that neutralizes the impact of the buildings and emphasizes the public spaces of the pavilion and how humans interact within it.
 

Description of project by AGi architects

One of the three subthemes of Expo 2020 Dubai (alongside Mobility and Sustainability), Opportunity examines how we can unlock the potential of individuals and communities, highlighting that each of us has a role to play in creating positive change.

Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion was designed by AGi architects for Expo 2020 Dubai. It encapsulates the concept of ‘Opportunity’: the idea that any action we take can create an impact; that anything is possible with a small step. The pavilion is a public space that allows every visitor from every corner of the planet and every walk of life to connect across age, language and culture, working together to achieve meaningful, positive change for our planet and its people.

The pavilion was conceived as a large plaza, providing continuity to the Opportunity District in which it is situated. The design builds on the rich urban history of the plaza throughout millennia, from Roman times to the modern day – the concept of a plaza is universal and lends itself to multiple cultures, whether it is a piazza, saha, common or the town square. This universal urban language is important, because the pavilion aims to be a platform for social and cross-cultural engagement.

Floating 32 metres above the ground, the pavilion’s canopy represents clouds and the dreams that we all aspire to achieve. The clouds are ethereal, composed of six textile layers of fabric on metal structures, protecting the plaza from direct sun exposure. The colourful elements overlap, creating layers, playing with transparency, light, shadows and colour. The clouds are in constant transformation thanks to the ways in which people view them in space and the changes in light and colour at various times of the day.

A terracotta ‘carpet’ covers the ground and the pavilion’s facades – the first time this type of ceramic material has been used in the UAE in this way. This creates a backdrop that neutralises the impact of the buildings, and places emphasis on the pavilion’s public spaces and how humans interact within it. It is in this carpet – the Earth – where the human activity takes place. The space is designed to be appropriated by the visitors, to share experiences and generate a community of knowledge and mutual respect.

To bridge the terrain’s slope, the pavilion’s plaza is organised on two levels, creating a basin where visitors are metaphorically spaced in-between the clouds above and the Earth below and providing a unique, playful place for social interaction and cultural understanding. The constant communication between AGi architects and Expo 2020 Dubai has made this project a reality.

Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion is where Expo 2020 brings to life the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations is ideally located in Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, the Thematic Pavilion that examines how to unlock the potential of individuals and communities in creating positive change for people and planet.

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Architects
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Collaborators
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Principals.- Nasser B. Abulhasan, Joaquín Pérez-Goicoechea. Design and Development.- Lucía Sánchez Salmón, Antonio Villodres, Ignacio Bergamín, Irene García. Design, Detailing and Execution Supervision.- Lucía Sánchez Salmón, Luis García, Samer Mohammad, Ignacio Bergamín. Lighting Design.- Lara Elbaz. Engineering.- GOGAITE Structural Engineering - Alfonso Redondo. Engineering.- ACH-EURING MEP Engineering - Ernesto Díaz, Juan Travesí, Felipe Cicujano. BIM Manager.- Pedro Moreno. Technical Management and Support.- Babu Abraham, Eugene Torralba, Robert Varghese, Haroon Abdulaziz, Naseeba Chalathoor, Abhilash Challiyil Thilakan, Nilvi Varghese. Project Management.- Aisha Alsager, Daniel Muñoz. Suppliers.- Flexbrick, Serge Ferrari.
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Client
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Area
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15,000 sqm.
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Dates
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2019-2021.
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Location
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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The international design firm AGi architects was founded in 2006 by two young architects educated at Harvard University, Joaquín Pérez-Goicoechea and Nasser B. Abulhasan.

With a noticeable international character and a multidisciplinary focus, AGi architects offers a professional service emphasizing quality,creativity and exclusive design. AGi has a vision to create environments that create a lasting value for clients through distinctive and imaginative solutions. At present, the studio has offices in Kuwait and Madrid, with a team comprised of more than 50 professionals.

The studio's architecture is based on four founding pillars: innovation, an inherent life component, ecological and social interventions andresearch. AGi architects provide comprehensive services in architecture, urban planning and design, interior design, research, consultancy and complementary services.

Among the latest acknowledgements for AGi architects are a nomination for the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture-Mies van der Rohe Award 2015, "Highly Commended" at WAF 2015, four WAF Awards (2014, 2013, 2011 and 2010 editions), ten Middle East Architect Awards(2015, 2014, 2013 & 2012), two mentions at MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards 2012, and various awards granted in the last editions of Cityscape Awards and International Property Awards, amongst other prizes.


Joaquín Pérez- Goicoechea and Nasser B. Abulhasan.

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Published on: October 1, 2021
Cite: "Opportunity and impact. Mission Possible - The Opportunity Pavilion by AGi architects" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/opportunity-and-impact-mission-possible-opportunity-pavilion-agi-architects> ISSN 1139-6415
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