Helsinki studio JKMM Architects has designed the Finnish contribution to Dubai Expo 2020. Located in the Mobility district at the Dubai Expo site, the Finland Pavilion (named Snow Cape) is covered in a white tensioned industrial fabric that was designed to evoke Finnish snow.

Finland has once again been ranked the happiest country on earth by the United Nations. Snow Cape want to send a very Finnish message to the world about how happiness comes from embracing Finnish values of sustainability, innovative design and a deep connection with nature.
JKMM Architects designed a stunningly beautiful structure with a pared-down aesthetic - from its elegant white snow-like exterior to the curved wooden ‘Gorge’ at the heart of the building.

Finland Pavilion’s name ”Lumi” alludes to a “Snow Cape”.  It is inspired by the thin white layer of first snowfall that covers the Finnish landscape at the beginning of every winter.

The aim was link two cultures, to bring a fragment of Finnish nature to UAE and Dubai and to link with Arabic tents and its former nomadic culture.  Inside the pavilion, a deep top lit gorge-like space welcomes visitors.
 

Project description by JKMM Architects
 

Jkmm’s ‘Lumi’ Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai brings snow to the desert

But what does this have to do with Happiness?    


STORY

Metaphorically bringing snow to the desert, this week sees the opening at Expo 2020 Dubai (rescheduled from last year) of JKMM Architects’ Finland Pavilion, which is inspired by Finnish nature, design and innovation. The building – known as ‘Snow Cape’ – has as its theme ‘Sharing Future Happiness’ and will highlight Finland’s commitment to sustainability and its deep connection with nature, as well as ensuring a memorable visitor experience. Teemu Kurkela, Founder and Creative Partner at JKMM Architects, explains:
 

“In designing the pavilion, we sought to bring a fragment of Finnish nature to UAE and Dubai. The pavilion was inspired by the thin white layer of first snow that covers the Finnish landscape at the beginning of winter. In Finnish, it is called 'Lumi', which means snow. The main entrance was inspired by a traditional Arabic tent. Two cultures meet in the architectural concept of the pavilion. Hopefully, this will be the best space in Expo for meeting face-to-face.”


A visit to the pavilion will activate all human senses, both through the spatial design and the materials. The soft and light façade fabric will be in strong contrast to the hard granite floor tiles. Water in dark ‘lakes’ (shallow water pools) will create gentle sounds and cool the air around them. Overall, the experience will evoke Finland’s clean water and fresh air.

SUSTAINABILITY

Finland was the first country to create a roadmap to a circular economy and JKMM have stayed true to these principles in the design and construction of Snow Cape. Sustainability was a guiding theme throughout the design and construction process. With the exception of a limited number of Finnish materials being imported, Snow Cape was built almost entirely using locally sourced material, thereby reducing the environmental burden caused by unnecessary logistics and transportation. Nor was dismantling an afterthought; it actively informed the pavilion’s design, including plans for the structure’s life after Expo.

FUSION OF IDEAS

The building interweaves several ideas. The pavilion is a fragment of Finnish Nature, symbolically bringing into the desert the snow, granite, forests, and water that characterise the country. Culture is celebrated by Snow Cape’s tentlike form, which makes reference to Finland’s own nomadic heritage. The structure’s exterior and interior are a nod to Finland’s long tradition of minimalist and modernist Design, which is informed by the building’s Function. Snow Cape is a place of Meeting at Expo, a calming and cool respite from the surrounding bustle. The pavilion is a metaphorical messenger from Finland, the ‘lab of Sustainability’.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Five elements are woven together in the design of the pavilion:

1) Cool Breeze is the sail-like signage at the pavilion’s entrance. The satin-textured aluminium surface and organic shape work visually with nearby water elements to announce a focus on nature.

2) First Snow characterises the structure’s simple, but striking, appearance that simultaneously evokes a snow cape and the opening to a tent. The tensioned industrial fabric’s pure white colour minimises solar gain and offers shelter from the sun.

3) Wooden Heart is a central gorge-like space carved into the building and designed as a hub for face-to-face meetings. Sculptural in nature, it is defined by its curved slatted-wooden surfaces and water droplet-shaped oculus. The material’s gentle shaping and tactile quality continue the tradition of shaping wood found in iconic Finnish design classics and works of art.

4) Frozen Art, taking inspiration from the disk-shaped ice on Finland’s frozen lakes, is the name given to the Finnish granite tiles (low-carbon and 100 per cent recyclable) found inside the pavilion, as well as in and around the water features. Composed from a variety of specimens, Frozen Art is poignant reference to climate change-induced Nordic snow- and ice-melt.

5) Fresh Water is the name given to the pools in front of the pavilion. Representing two lakes (Finland has some 188,000), the water cools the air and reinforces the Finnish engagement with nature.


The simple design of the pavilion’s interiors (a pared-down shell) minimises unnecessary additional claddings, enabling JKMM to reduce the overall use of materials. Business Finland has recently confirmed that the structure will remain in situ for a further five years, after which 80–85 per cent of the materials used in its construction will be recycled and reused.

HAPPINESS INSIDE
 

“We want visitors to Snow Cape to immerse themselves in our deep connection to nature and sustainability. The Finnish values of happiness, circular economy and innovations are being showcased throughout the pavilion and exhibition design.”

Severi Keinälä, Commissioner General of Finland at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Several Finnish companies have been actively involved in the construction of the Finnish pavilion, including KONE (doors and bespoke lifts) and Halton Group (exhibition air ventilation system). Their leaders, alongside those of the over 100 Finnish companies exhibiting within Snow Cape, understand that they are key cornerstones in achieving the sustainability success and circular economy goals for which Finland strives.

Looping around Snow Cape’s exhibition space, a 53-meter-long film display opens a window to see glimpses of life events of a girl growing up in the world’s happiest country. This full panoramic storyline is complimented by an immersive experience in forms of a ceiling light installation, enlivening audio scape and carefully curated exhibits. An exhibition design collaboration between Futudesign, Sun Effects, Flatlight Creative House and JKMM Architects, it communicates how a symbiosis between people, pure nature and technology can lead to greater happiness.

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Architects
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Design team
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ARCHITECTURE - COMPETITION STAGE AND EARLY CONCEPT.

Teemu Kurkela, Lead architect, Architect SAFA. Gregor Turnsek, Project Architect, Architect, Peter Vuorenrinne, Designer. Päivi Aaltio, Architect SAFA.
Marko Pulli, Architect. Asmo Jaaksi, Architect SAFA. Samuli Miettinen, Architect SAFA. Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Architect SAFA.

ARCHITECTURE - FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STAGE.


Teemu Kurkela, Lead architect, Architect SAFA. Gregor Turnsek, Project Architect, Architect. Päivi Puukari, Architect SAFA. Mikko Kyläkoski, BIM Coordinator. Jarno Vesa, Interior Architect SIO. Tatu Laakso, Designer. Asmo Jaaksi, Architect SAFA. Samuli Miettinen, Architect SAFA. Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Architect SAFA.

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE.


Päivi Meuronen, Interior Architect SIO. Rami Lehtimäki, Interior Architect.

EXHIBITION DESIGN GROUP - SYMBIOSIS..


Futudesign Exhibition architecture.
Flatlight Creative House, Story and video design, art direction & graphic
design.
Sun Effects, Lighting, sound and video design.
JKMM Architects, Coordination and exhibition integration.

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Collaborators
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Architect of record / consultant UAE.- NSD Architectural Consultants (Dubai, UAE).
SPECIAL DESIGN COLLABORATIONS.

KONE x JKMM Custom-made elevator.
Main exhibition and VIP entrance sliding doors.
Halton x JKMM Low-velocity air ventilation system.
Stone from Finland x JKMM Custom-made stone paving.
Table tops in VIP restrooms.
SAAS Instruments x JKMM Light installation in high entrance space.
Gorge lights (LED stripe and spotlights).
Pavilion outdoor light projectors.
Isku x JKMM VIP furniture integration and coordination.
Lasilinkki x JKMM Custom glass panels (VIP meeting room doors).
Satu Nisu x JKMM Wall textiles for VIP spaces.
Genelec x JKMM Audio system integration for Gorge space.

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Client
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Business Finland.
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Contractor
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Main Contractor.- Cimolai Rimond (Dubai, United Arab Emirates).
Project management and general contractor.- Expomobilia AG (Switzerland).
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Area
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Total gross floor area 1867 m².
Main Measurements.-  15 m high / 19 m wide / 49 m long / 3 levels.
Total area of white “Snow Cape” i.e. façade fabric surface: approximately 2000 m²
Total area of wooden wall surface in the “Gorge”: 750 m²
Total length of wooden slats in the Gorge wall: more than 22 km
Maximum height of the tent-like entrance opening: 13 m
Maximum height of triangular entrance opening to the Gorge: 7.5 m
Maximum height of the Gorge: 15 m
More than 4000 granite tiles form the pavement in the main entrance and Gorge area.
More than 2000 granite tiles form the artistic pattern in the shallow lakes in front of the pavilion.
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Dates
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Competition, 1st Prize 2018.
Design and construction.- 2018 - 2021.
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Location
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Expo Dubai 2020 is located in Dubai South. The Finland pavilion is located in the thematic area corresponding to Mobility.
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Photography
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JKMM Architects is a group of architects and designers based in Helsinki, Finland. We started in 1998 with four founding partners – Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen and Juha Mäki-Jyllilä. Today, we are a team of more than 70 people.

The American Architectural Record chosen JKMM as one of the “10 Emerging New Firms in the World”. Our works have been presented in various exhibitions including Venice Biennale, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.

Awards
  • Hurraa! 2016 Award, The New Harald Herlin Learning Centre
  • Finnish Glass Structure Award 2016, OP Financial Group's New Headquarter
  • Rose for Building 2015, OP Financial Group's New Headquarter
  • Steel Structure 2015, OP Financial Group's New Headquarter
  • Tekla Global BIM Awards –award 2014, Total Bim -category, OP Financial Group's New Headquarter
  • Concrete Structure of 2012, Seinäjoki Library
  • Lighting project of the year 2011, exterior, Saunalahden Lastentalo
  • Shanghai Expo 2010, best pavilion design and architecture, kategory B, Kirnu, BIE (Bureau International des Expositions)
  • Finnish State Award of Architecture 2007
  • Steel Structure of 2007, Verkatehdas Cultural Center
  • Glass Structure of 2007, Verkatehdas Cultural Center
  • Forum Aid Prize, Best Nordic Interior 2007, nominee, Verkatehdas Cultural Center
  • Concrete Structure of 2007, Turku City Library
  • Frame The Great Indoors-Award-Nominee 2007, Viikki church
  • Chicago Athenaeum, International Architecture Award, Viikki church, 2006
  • Pietilä Award, 2006

Asmo Jaaksi, Principal Architect, Amos Rex
Architect SAFA, partner

Asmo Jaaksi (born in 1966) studied architecture at Tampere University of Technology graduating 1997. He is a founding part- ner of JKMM Architects and has specialised in designing public buildings. His works reflect the values of inclusiveness and humanity combined with practicality and focus on materiality and details. Asmo Jaaksi’s major works as the principal architect are: Amos Rex art museum; Academy of Fine Arts building in Helsinki; Think Corner in University of Helsinki; OP Financial Group headquarters; Seinäjoki City Library; Turku Main Library; and Joensuu University Aurora building.

Freja Ståhlberg-Aalto, Project Architect, Amos Rex
Architect SAFA

Freja Ståhlberg-Aalto (born in 1973) graduated in Architecture from Helsinki University of Technology in 2001. At JKMM, she has been involved in the design of award winning buildings such Seinäjoki Public Library, Verkatehdas Arts & Congress Cen- tre and Turku New City Library. Since 2014, she has worked as the project architect of Amos Rex. She is now in the final phase of her doctoral research project focusing on the role of aesthet- ics in the care environment. She has held a part time teaching position at the Department of Architecture, Aalto University.

Päivi Meuronen, Architect specialising in Interiors, Amos Rex
Interior Architect SIO

Päivi Meuronen (1967) graduated in Interior Architecture from the University of Art and Design, Helsinki and has been the driving force behind JKMM Architects’ interior designs since 2003. She leads a team of 18 at JKMM specialising in interiors. The team has been successful in creating projects where JKMM’s architecture and interior design form a seamless unity. JKMM’s interior for the recently restored Alvar Aalto designed library in Otaniemi was awarded the Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2017.

Katja Savolainen, Restoration Architect, Amos Rex
Architect SAFA

Katja Savolainen (born in 1969) graduated in Architecture from Helsinki University of Technology in 1999. She has been special- ising in conservation architecture since 2000. In 2004 she joined JKMM where, as part of the Amos Rex project, she has been responsible for the restoration of the Functionalist Lasipalatsi building in addition to a number of other historically significant projects around Finland. Katja has also been teaching and re- searching traditional building methods and their restoration with a particular interest in wooden structures.
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