Expo 2020 Report by CPI Trade Media

A supplement of:

EXPO 2O2O DUBAI REPORT

How FM Improves the Experience

SERCO’S EXPERTS SHARE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A MEGA-EVENT RUN SMOOTHLY

The Impact of Expo 2020 Dubai

AMANA’S JOE LABAKY HIGHLIGHTS THE CONSTRUCTION TRENDS EMERGING FROM THE EXPO

Shining a Light

BIG PROJECT ME FINDS OUT HOW LIGHTING HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI In association with:

2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 & 2020

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Introduction A supplement of:

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Expo on the mind

s we enter the third month of Expo 2020 Dubai, it’s appropriate to look at the megaevent and assess just what sort of impact it has had. While we’ve all read about the visitors’ numbers and high-level meetings being held, but I’m more interested in the tangible, long-term effect of the Expo, especially for the construction industry. That’s why it was worth hearing from the likes of Richard Holmes at iGuzzini, who shares his thoughts with us about how lighting has had a major part to play in the success of the Expo, even though most of the people won’t even think twice about it. The same can be said about the sustainable innovations and sensory experiences being incorporated across the pavilions – while we may not be able to see them, our senses and emotions react to them, creating a deeper connection with what we’re experiencing. And isn’t that what the Expo is all about?

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gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com @MECN_Gavin MEConstructionNews me-construction-news MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

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LIGHTING

iGuzzini

Shining a Light BIG PROJECT ME SPEAKS TO RICHARD HOLMES, REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF IGUZZINI, ABOUT HOW GOOD QUALITY LIGHTING HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

LIGHTING

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t the start of November, Expo 2020 Dubai organisers hailed the first month of the event as a huge success, with more than two million visitors passing through the gates. Since then, that number has grown, with almost another million being added to the tally, taking advantage of the opportunity to interact with, and be a part of, several memorable events, entertainment and seminars at the ‘biggest show in the world’. However, while the majority of the media and visitors’ attention has been fixated on the impressive architect

and design of the pavilions, there is another crucial element of the Expo that has gone unrecognised, despite being essential to the overall look and feel of the megaevent – lighting. The Expo could be considered to be the greatest lighting showcase currently ongoing in the world. When one considers the vast array of lighting being utilised across the entire site, on the outer facades of the 192 pavilions, and then across their interiors, then that claim doesn’t sound quite so outlandish. If one still isn’t convinced, then consider

Driven by light Lighting systems and design have had a huge impact at Expo 2020 Dubai, says Richard Holmes.

Transforming spaces The lighting on the shade structures has a transformative effect on the spaces around them, depending on the time of day.

then the sheer variety and ingenuity of use for lighting – the Russian Pavilion’s innovative use of lights both inside and outside its pavilion, the show-stopping displays in the Spanish Pavilion, or even the iconic Wasl Dome, with its daily sound and light show. All of these showcase the innovation of the designers and architects behind the pavilion, who have come from all over the world to display their works at the Expo 2020 Dubai. “Everywhere you go at the Expo, you’re driven by light,” says Richard Holmes, regional director of iGuzzini, the Italian lighting manufacturer that is heavily involved in several Expo projects and pavilions, working with the design and architecture teams to provide and deliver lighting products as per their specifications and requirements. “Internally, externally, it’s all light that makes the Expo as brilliant as it is. It’s probably the greatest application lighting showroom that we have ever seen in our time. Whether it’s interactive multimedia lighting, landscape lighting, the amazing façade lighting, or even the

How iGuzzini helped deliver the Shade Structures at Expo 2020 Dubai

Simon Fraser, principal, Hopkins Architect

to sparkle on the shades structures and for the streets and ground surfaces to have lower levels of light with as much reflected light as possible on the shade panels. We felt it was important to have a feeling of near darkness in some areas, contrasted with glimpses and washes of coloured light.

How much of a role did lighting play in the conceptualization and design of the shade structures? Lighting played a key role for the design of the shade structures. During the daytime, we wanted filtered natural daylight to pass through the shade structures, to create a speckled effect in a similar way to the feeling you get in a palm grove. In the evenings and at night, we wanted points of artificial lights

Why was iGuzzini chosen for the project? For a balance of cost and quality as well as having specific products to achieve the end results we were looking for. What sort of reaction and feedback have you received about the effectiveness of the lighting in the shade structures? We have had a lot of positive feedback particularly about

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

how the streets and spaces come alive at night-time. The artificial lighting transforms the shade structures with different colours and detail and reinforces the different

characters of the streets and spaces. It’s really good to see these spaces being used for people to rest and take a break from all the other events going on in the major pavilions.

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directional lighting that guides you around the event, even the water features – every experience is enhanced by lighting. If you go to the Expo during the day, of course internally the pavilions have lots of interactive lighting, but it’s when you got at night that it’s a completely different experience, it’s incredible – and that’s all because of the lighting,” he asserts during an interview with Big Project ME. The lighting manufacturer is heavily involved with three key projects at the Expo – Al Wasl Plaza, the central point of the Expo; the Swedish Pavilion in the Sustainability District; and the shade structures along the pathways between the pavilions. Involved primarily as a supplier, Holmes says that the company’s focus was on fulfilling the vision of the specialist lighting design practices and the architectural and design firms, both local and international, who collaboratively worked on the various projects. “Our role really, has been to support them and to work with the local contractors and distributors to ensure that the projects are completed as per expectation and are well lit. I can tell you that it was very price driven and commercial, but our aim was to support the design and make sure that we enabled the designers to achieve the lit effect that they wanted,” he explains. “We have facilitated that by being strong with local contractors and supporting the market.” “If you look at the lighting leading up to Al Wasl, as soon as you walk into the showground, into Al Wasl Plaza, it’s a really welcoming place. If you look at all the shade structures that are between the low-level buildings, they’re all really well lit. We are involved with those, as well as the ones that run around the public realms – the square shade structures,” Holmes adds. In particular, he highlights elements like the Expo’s parks, where the lighting has been done sympathetically, with a low-level of light, so that visitors can escape and relax in a calm and sedate space, despite being surrounded by pavilions with multimedia facades that are pulsating with lights. “From a visitors’ perspective, light needs to give people a sense of security, so that they feel safe where they are. People need to have good facial recognition, so

How iGuzzini helped bring Sweden to the Expo

Carina Hed-Pekola, lighting design and planning, Fidell

Why was iGuzzini chosen for the project? The Swedish Pavilion is our contribution to show Sweden, so the requirement was that it should be owned by ourselves. The project has mostly luminaires from iGuzzini. The choice came from the fact that it is part of the Fagerhult Group and that they have the quality and flexibility the project needed.

Pavilion needed to be able to mimic the light from all hours of the day, i.e.: both cold and warm tones as well as blue light for moonlight - and that it needed to come from the same luminaire, so there were some specially made luminaires. One of the major challenges for the exterior luminaires mounted at 18m height on tree trunks was to cope with the heat and to have the right density, i.e.: high IP rating against sand. iGuzzini’s spotlight Palco InOut had just these abilities and therefore fit perfectly.

Our sponsors from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise see great marketing opportunities at the Expo, so we created conference rooms with dynamic light and sound for them. We created a unique solution with specially developed RGBW luminaires. The entire system is programmed, with two systems used to control luminaires in different ways. Dali is generally used for standard general lighting and DMX is used for fast transitions, pixel movements and flying changes between colours.

What were some of the challenges around the installation process and how did iGuzzini help resolve them? I had a lot of help from my Swedish contact at iGuzzini. Many questions and ideas have been discussed during the design period, and I am grateful for all the will and interest to resolve requests, as building a Swedish forest in the desert has its challenges. Early on, it was clear that lighting in the

that they can see the person in front of them at all times. At the same time, people need a nice ambience and atmosphere that can be appropriate to where they are. If you’re inside a pavilion and you’ve got interactive lighting, that’s going to give you a different feeling to if you’re outside and trying to find your way from one pavilion to another, or when you sit down and just want to have a coffee or something to eat. You need different

A forest in the desert The design of the Swedish Pavilion mimicked a Swedish forest, with lighting playing a crucial part in the overall look and ambience of the space.

types of lighting, and in general, the Expo has achieved all of these things. “We are involved with individual pavilions as well, but that’s different, as that’s a dynamic effect, a light show that draws you into the individual pavilions, whereas the transition areas are where you need security, where people need clarity of where they’re going, and having that moment of taking a pause and having a breather. It’s two different dynamics.”

MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

LIGHTING

Holmes says that it is because of these different dynamcs that iGuzzini was chosen as a supplier. Because of its technical competence with optical control, the company is one of the few manufacturers that are able to provide what he terms ‘invisible light’, meaning that the illumination provided is at a sufficient level, but with reduced glare to minimise discomfort. “We’re talking about good quality lighting solutions, where people feel comfortable, but don’t feel like there’s any light interference or distraction to what they’re wanting to do. It’s about allowing them to see and do what they want, but they don’t know where the light is coming from. “Our optical control leads the world, with regards to invisible light sources. At times, you can’t even tell that our light fittings are switched on, other than for the fact that there’s light in the space.” However, despite the success of the Expo, Holmes states that iGuzzini continues to face challenges in the market around pricing, with the market remaining unaware about the impact of good quality lighting. While he hopes that the showcasing of quality lighting at the megaevent will change minds, he worries that the lack of education and awareness about good lighting will continue

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Demonstrating quality Expo 2020 Dubai showcases the benefits of investing in good quality lighting.

Leaving a legacy Visitors to the Expo have been shown how lighting can create the right atmosphere and ambience.

to have a negative impact on the future of the lighting industry. “For me, this is one of the reasons why Expo is so important – because we can demonstrate the benefits of good quality lighting. Fortunately those who designed, developed and manage the Expo understand, because they’ve recognised the value of good quality lighting, which will give them a consistency of the lit effect moving forwards,” he says, adding that while iGuzzini, amongst other leading premium brands were construction

industry places lower priority, year on year, on good quality lighting, that could prove detrimental in the long run. “It’s interesting that within our industry, the biggest investment in innovation, new technologies and design is done by the top 20 lighting manufacturers in the world. Approximately only 10% of the Worlds lighting manufacturers (there are more than 3,000), create innovation and new technology. The remaining 90% produce cheaper copy products. The danger for our industry is that, if, without knowledge or understanding the difference in quality, people keep purchasing products from such companies, then where will the innovation come from in future? How can we drive things forward if the only driving factor is price?” he asks. “My hope is that lots of people go to the Expo and don’t just experience the brilliance of the event, but also come to this space, these facilities and have a look around at the lighting and see how good it is when it is done properly. Going back to the point of education, the Expo is an amazing light show from that perspective, because it demonstrates to people, in application, how good quality lighting makes us feel good and safe, and that it can create the right atmosphere and ambience that we need in our lives. “This is the legacy that the Expo has created, and maybe it’s one they

This is the legacy that the Expo has created, and maybe it’s one they didn’t expect. Corners weren’t cut and every pavilion has been lit. Imagine if they were to illuminate cities in the same way moving forward? It would be really special” Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

LIGHTING

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didn’t expect. Corners weren’t cut and every pavilion has been lit. Imagine if they were to illuminate cities in the same way moving forward? It would be really special,” he muses. Committing to good quality lighting doesn’t just have cosmetic benefits, as products with high quality materials tend to have better sustainability performances, Holmes says. This is illustrated with the products chosen for the Expo Legacy projects, as they have been chosen with

sustainability in mind. Consequently, they have a 10-year lifespan, and have been designed using sustainable materials, and in a sustainable manner, he explains. “You’ll find that most of our products have been installed in the areas that will be standing after the Expo has finished, while whatever products we have produced for pavilions that will be taken down and reused somewhere, they will travel with the pavilion and will have a continuity of life wherever it will end up.

Setting the mood Lighting has played a major role in the impact of shows and displays at the Expo, especially at Al Wasl Plaza.

“Talking about the materials we use, from a sustainability perspective, moving forward, there will be fewer and fewer components being used to produce our products. Furthermore, a large proportion of our products have been manufactured within a 20-mile radius of our factory in Italy – all of the components and major parts used,” he says in conclusion, adamant that iGuzzini will continue to marry its innovation with a fierce commitment to sustainability.

How iGuzzini contributed to the success of Al Wasl Plaza

Enrique Peiniger, founder and chief innovator, OVI

How much of a role did lighting play in the conceptualisation and design of the dome? The concept of creating an open plaza as the central iconic welcoming structure for the World Expo 2020 in Dubai was a radical design approach that allows visitors to truly become part of an event and the space itself, rather than just observing it: In this realm, lighting has to do much more than just illuminate, it has to establish the experience of human immersion within the dome. Before and after projection even shows that are covering 360 degrees of the dome interior, a subtle pixel grid animation referencing the characteristic ring pattern of the trellis structure echo night-time star trails and articulating the passage of time. A curated urban landscape with subtly illuminated vegetation and hardscape features such as seating benches, ramps and stairs

etc. literally sets the stage for the space and the show events. A lot of activities – especially with families – take place in the evening, due to the climate conditions. The public realm of the Dome is exactly designed with this understanding, to allow and invite families and victors stay before and after events. People activate public realms – the lighting design provides a frame for these actives. Lighting design is like film music and the architecture is the film. You will remember the film when you leave the movie but not the music. The music sets the mood and emotions without being obvious – the Dome is the film and the lighting conveys the mood and emotions.

Why was iGuzzini chosen for the project? After a careful review of required lighting hardware criteria, the selection of qualified manufacturers with proven project experience focused on a few relevant contenders. Ultimately, iGuzzini was selected for its significant variety of lighting hardware, as well as on their technical performance, optical capabilities, along with the strong service support from iGuzzini’s international sales and technical on-site support teams. What were some of the challenges around the installation process and how did iGuzzini help resolve them?

iGuzzini is an experienced partner who supported us and the design team from the beginning of our lighting concept, through to physical and technical coordination, all the way to delivery and installation with the local contractor teams. They were particularly involved with the detailing and integration planning for linear concealed landscape features, as well as the façade illumination of surrounding building facades, and the controls coordination with the building management systems, which was important for a timely delivery of the project. What has the reaction been now that the pavilion is open to the public? From the very moment of the public opening beginning of October 2021, Al Wasl Plaza has been at the heart of all events related to the World Expo Dubai 2020. The conceptual setting out point of allowing visitors to actively participate within the space can be seen beyond physical media, across all social media platforms. Al Wasl Plaza is a remarkable example of merging architecture and lighting to create more than just a physical space – it’s an experience that truly immerses and transports visitors to different places – spiritually and virtually!

MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

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DELIVERY

ACCIONA Cultural Engineering

Coming Together EXPO 2020

Daniel Orti, ACCIONA Cultural Engineering’s Middle East director, outlines the work the company has done at the Expo 2020 Dubai

ince its origin, the history of ACCIONA Cultural Engineering (ACE) has been closely linked to global exhibitions. For 30

years, since the Universal Exposition of Seville (Expo ‘92), ACE has designed and implemented all kind of scopes in pavilions and spectacles for different countries and organisations in majority of World and International Exhibitions. Our success results from the capacity to understand that an exhibition project is more than just the sum of their parts. The knowledge of the whole process is crucial to identify high-priority elements and milestones in order to meet the schedule. The process needs to be carried out while always taking care of the quality standards, the interrelations among the different disciplines, and sensitivity to the value added by each participant, the true protagonists of the exhibition. ACE has participated in nine Expos and has

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

successfully delivered 71 pavilions for various countries and organisations for the majority of Universal and International Expos held to date. When working for Expo projects we always look to go even further with creative processes and the application of state-of-the art technologies as the latest, most innovative and creative projects are showcased at these events. At Expo 2020 Dubai, we have been responsible for a wide range of works across Expo pavilions including the United Arab Emirates and Spain (in Joint Venture with Empty), Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, the Youth Pavilion and 47 Thematic District Pavilions. In total, ACE has undertaken 54 Expo projects: 51 pavilions, 6 Biomimicry

Going further Expo projects require designers to go further with creative processes and the application of state-of-the-art technologies.

Total number of Expo 2020 pavilions ACE was involved in

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Micromuseums (off-grid exhibits installed into six locations of the Expo 2020), as well as Airport Welcome Desks and Mall Kiosks, located at the three international airports and main malls across United Arab Emirates, with the aim of selling tickets, provide information about Expo Dubai 2020. This huge project portfolio includes two of the biggest attractions of Expo 2020: Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion and the United Arab Emirates Pavilion, the pavilion of the host country. UAE PAVILION The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai was designed by architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. ACCIONA Cultural Engineering, in Joint Venture with Empty, is responsible

Sharing the message The pavilions have been designed to share the message of the Expo and of the countries participating in the mega-event.

9ACE has

participated in nine Expos and has successfully delivered 71 pavilions

for the exhibition implementation, technical operation and maintenance of the pavilion, which involves a total surface of 8,000 square meters. The UAE serves as the host country for Expo 2020 and its pavilion shares a story of the country’s history, heritage, and future. Located in the heart of the Expo, next to the ‘Al Wasl’ Plaza, the Pavilion features innovative audio-visual technological resources and offers visitors a multisensory and immersive experience. TERRA – THE SUSTAINABILITY PAVILION ACE’s work focused on implementing the exhibition zones of the pavilion, covering 10,175 m2 distributed over two floors. The exhibition is extremely

participative and features a wide variety of highly interactive multimedia and immersive experiences. The exhibition is also combined with more traditional resources such as mechanical and staged elements, scale models, display modules, and soundscapes and smells. ACCIONA Cultural Engineering is also responsible for the technical operation and maintenance of the pavilion throughout the Expo. The Sustainability pavilion was designed by the prestigious architects firm Grimshaw Architects and is set to become a Science Centre after the event. SPAIN PAVILION The Pavilion, led by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) - the SOE in charge of managing Spain’s presence at world and

MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

DELIVERY

Working together Delivering the Expo has required a massive collaborative effort from different companies, cultures, nationalities and industries.

ACE worked with 23 subcontractors from three different continents and 23 nationalities on their Expo projects

international expos- spans around 5,800 useful m2, and features a large square covered with a series of impressive cones. ACCIONA Cultural Engineering (in Joint Venture with Empty) has been responsible for the exhibition implementation, technical operation and maintenance of the Pavilion, which is located in the Sustainability District, close to Al Wasl Square and the UAE Pavilion. The Pavilion sums up the communication objectives of Spain: our resourcefulness, capacity for innovation and eagerness to preserve a good quality of life on the planet, for us and for the generations to come. Under the slogan “Intelligence for life”, the pavilion presents two thematic exhibition areas that complement each other: Destellos, located in the square under the cones on the ground floor, includes a series of installations that show some of the contributions Spain has made to global culture and highlight our cultural ties to the Arab world. The Forest of Intelligence, on the below-ground level, is comprised of trees made from a special material that

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

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When working for Expo projects we always look to go even further with creative processes and the application of stateof-the art technologies are showcased at these events”

absorbs CO2. It is a metaphorical space where innovative Spanish contributions are displayed to show how the country is committed to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and how it contributes to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. We have been also in charge of the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of the Welcome Desks and Mall POS Kiosks for Expo 2020, located at the three international airports and the main malls across United Arab Emirates. The main objective is to raise awareness, sell tickets, provide information about the exhibition, and promote Expo 2020 as a must-see destination, always showcasing the creative and innovative spirit of this event. Managing 54 Expo projects that features 34,895 m2 of exhibition space, plus putting together 23 subcontractors from three different continents and 23 nationalities working together in order to achieve the best performance for Expo has been and enormous challenge that we have successfully overcome.

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DESIGN

Israel Pavilion

Creating a New Future ISRAEL

Jason Saundalkar speaks to David Knafo, managing director of Knafo Kilmor Architects about the design and delivery of the Israeli Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

he Israeli Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai is 15m tall and boasts 1,550sqm of built-up area. It was designed by Knafo Klimor Architects and the architecture is said to draw its inspiration from the arid landscapes of Israel and other Middle Eastern countries and adopts the shape of sand dunes and shaded Middle Eastern streets. Here, Big Project ME sits down with David Knafo, managing director of Knafo Kilmor Architects to discuss the design and delivery of the pavilion. How did you and your firm come to work on the pavilion? What was the tender/bidding

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

process like and why was your design was chosen over others? The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) published a competition for the design of the Israeli Pavilion. The competition scope was for the complete delivery of the Israeli Pavilion, including the building design, construction, content, presentation, as well as operation of the pavilion during the EXPO event. There was no bidding process as the project budget was fixed. The competition selection criteria was to choose the pavilion that would generate the best value (according to the MFA Judging Committee) to the given budget. The competition brief was to design a building that presented the

360

Under the dune is a 360 degrees theatre with a smart lighting system and robotic mirrors

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technology and scientific achievements of Israel, as well as the richness of the cultures and languages that compose the Israeli population. Further to this, the design had to follow EXPO 2020’s theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. What was the inspiration for the design of the Israel Pavilion? How does it tie into the government’s vision of what it wants to achieve with the Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai? The architecture draws its inspiration from the arid landscapes of Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. It adopts the shape of sand dunes and shaded Middle Eastern streets. The open space is presented as a dune surrounded by seven gates reflecting joy and hope. It is an invitation to dialogue, the understanding that we will not be able to face the challenges facing us in the future without global cooperation, which are key aspects of the pavilion design, and are all part of the Israeli message. This message is further enhanced by a large, illuminated feature sign formed from letters in “Aravrit”, reading “Towards Tomorrow” in both Arabic and Hebrew. Aravit is a font invented by the typographer, Liron Lavi Turkenich and is a hybrid of two local scripts, combining Hebrew and Arabic characters. Each letter is composed of Arabic on the upper half and Hebrew on the lower half. Towards Tomorrow The Israeli Pavilion has been designed as an invitation to dialogue and understanding between cultures and countries.

Presenting Israel The brief for the design was to present the technological and scientific achievements of Israel.

The competition brief was to design a building that presented the technology and scientific achievements of Israel, as well as the richness of the cultures and languages that compose the Israeli population”

of the pavilion, and Knafo Klimor Architects, who led the building design. Most of the team were involved with the design and build of the Israeli Pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan, which we had won in a similar selection process as for EXPO 2020 Dubai. The working experience and successful collaboration in the previous project helped during this project. All the members of the project team have vast experience in exhibition buildings design. We understand the importance and the close ties between the building and the content and see the structure as a key element of the exhibition content. As with most projects, the design process was a collaborative effort where one decision influenced the other. We’ve found that providing only an indoor experience for EXPO visitors generates endless lines of people waiting to get in. Our pavilion offers outdoor areas, allowing visitors to experience the pavilion in a more relaxed manner, without waiting too long in a queue. Similar to the Israel Pavilion at EXPO 2015 Milan, some of the exhibition content will be presented outside, enabling the pavilion to share its message with people who are just passing by.

In terms of staff involved, please share information about the design team behind this project. Did any past projects help shape the design/ delivery of this project? The project design team consisted of multiple specialists in their respective fields, including a creative team led by AVS, architects, supporting consultants for multimedia, lighting, and other systems, and a project manager specialising in exhibition projects. The pillars of the design team were AVS creatives, headed by Malki Shem-Tov, leading the multimedia content and presentation aspects MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

DESIGN

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It is an invitation to dialogue, the understanding that we will not be able to face the challenges facing us in the future without global cooperation, which are key aspects of the pavilion design, and are all part of the Israeli message” What fresh learnings has the firm taken away from working on this prestigious project? As an architectural firm, a crucial part of our vision is innovation. We look at any project with a fresh perspective, exploring its unique aspects and fitting the best architectural solution to maximise the benefits of any given situation. This helps generate the best value for clients, the users and visitors, the building and the general public. Every building ‘communicates’ with its surroundings in some manner but in most cases, this comes second. A unique aspect of the Israeli Pavilion is that after the functionality aspects of the building, its primary function is to serve as a communication tool. The building is an exhibition item, delivers content, and communicates with its visitors and viewers.

The Israel pavilion is surrounded by seven gates reflecting joy and hope

What technologies/tools did the firm utilise in the design process and what part is technology playing in the ongoing delivery of this project? The architectural, structural, and all building systems were designed using BIM software. The building has several types of structures: concrete, steel and uses several materials for the exterior and interior walls, floors, Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

and ceilings. Designing in a BIM environment enabled us to integrate all the building components and systems. BIM also served as an excellent formal and informal communication tool in the new normal of a remote business environment, both with the MFA personnel and different team members. It allowed us to show and discuss any system and building element in detail with a 3D accurate view. The ‘Dune’ surface, for example, is a 3D structure that would have been difficult to design and share the vision using 2D tools.

What are some of the pavilion’s unique sustainable features, what certifications (LEED etc.) is it aiming for? What sort of savings are expected over the course of EXPO 2020? Please provide projections/ estimations if they are available. The pavilion is a temporary building that will be demolished at the end of the EXPO. The main sustainable aspect of the design is the ‘end of use’ of the structure and how to recycle or reuse the building materials. The building uses very efficient HVAC and electrical systems. The outside area of the pavilion creates a microcosm, with a temperate microclimate achieved using shading and sprinklers, which reduces the required energy for cooling. The focus of the pavilion was, however, on the ‘end of use’. Big Project Middle East has been told some of the pavilions at EXPO 2020 are leveraging modular construction. Is this the case with the Israeli Pavilion? What parts/components were built in the country and what were the challenges, from a logistics point of view, of transporting them to Dubai? To reduce the building’s carbon footprint,

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most of the materials were supplied by the contractor from local manufacturers and suppliers. Only a few elements, mainly related to various electronic systems, were brought from Israel.

These LED screens are also the cladding material of the seven gates inner walls. The LED screens will be presenting a variety of images and videos showcasing varied and timely content, such as: reducing world hunger, protecting nature, energy for everyone, water conservation and adaptation for arid countries, health technologies and cyber security. The dune level is also equipped with virtual reality binoculars, allowing visitors to experience the landscape of Israel.

Certain countries will be recycling parts of their pavilions following the conclusion of EXPO 2020. What is the plan for the Israeli Pavilion and how will the plan be executed? The pavilion is designed to be demolished after the EXPO has ended. Except for the concrete floor, all the construction material and elements will be recycled. Some of the pavilion elements, such as the Aravit sign reading “Towards Tomorrow” on top of the dune and the “Mashrabiya” shaped cladding, will find a new home where it can be displayed. What impact did the outbreak of COVID-19 and the postponement of EXPO 2020 have on the pavilion’s delivery? How were these issues tackled? The COVID-19 outbreak and the restrictions that followed forced us to oversee the construction work remotely. We adapted to the new normal by communicating with the contractor via video conference and other remote communication. Some challenges required a more specific response, such as a lack of manpower in the contractor’s team or various products, which were no longer available and required replacements. The postponement of the EXPO and delaying the delivery of the pavilion had almost no impact on the final result. The team stayed focused and maintained a clear line of communication between all major stakeholders in the project.

number of people allowed following the COVID-19 constraints. What are some of the structure’s SMART features? What benefits are they expected to bring once the pavilion opens to the public? The LED screen wall on the ‘dune’ level is not just a presentation tool but also a communication tool. It can be used by the visitor as a game engagement with people in Israel, as well as have certain control over the live presented content.

Engagement tools The pavilion’s LED screen wall serves as both a presentation tool, as well as a communication tool for visitors to engage with.

Built for recycle The pavilion’s elements have been designed to be recycled and reused once the structure is demolished after the Expo.

What were some of the unique challenges encountered in designing/delivering this pavilion? How did the designers manage to resolve these issues? Any project is unique and has challenging aspects. Government projects often have Techno-Economic elements with a design focus to provide the best functional solution to a modest budget. The biggest challenge we faced in this project was a common one, shared by almost everyone in the world: the restrictions implemented due to COVID-19. This forced us to oversee the construction works remotely but was overcome by using video conferencing technology and other remote communication technology to communicate with the construction team and monitor progress.

Did the interior layout of the pavilion change in response to COVID-19? How will the pavilion manage the high number of visitors expected and keep them safe? The original design of the pavilion featured plenty of outdoor exhibits and display areas which helps maintain the safety of our visitors. The interior exhibition areas have not been altered or redesigned and are suitable for the MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

SERVICES

Facilities Management

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SERVICES

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How Important is Facilities Management to Customer Experience? MIDDLE EAST

Graeme Flaws, Operations Director at Serco Middle East and Kristine Pitts, Director of Serco’s ExperienceLab share insights into what it takes to ensure that a megaevent, like the Expo, runs smoothly for both visitors and organisers

acilities management is the best well-kept secret to great customer experience. That was, until the pandemic hit last year. Think of the customer experience of any facility, a mall, an office building, or attending a global event such as Expo 2020 Dubai as taking place on two stages much like a theatre performance – Front stage, the bit you see and interact with – like the receptionist at the office building, a visitor ambassador

at an event or even the physical spaces you move through. Backstage – the things you usually don’t see, or engage directly with, but have a big impact on how good your experience is. As COVID-19 swept across the globe, the services delivered by facilities management teams in every building, metro station, mall, airport, etc. suddenly became highly noticeable. From continuously sanitising facilities, to ensuring that people are following safety procedures such as social distancing and always wearing masks, facilities service providers played a key role. We all started caring about seeing these services in action. They made us feel safe. And if we never spent much time thinking about them before, we’re more likely than ever to notice if they are not there. The impact of many FM services on customer experience often goes unacknowledged – until something goes wrong. The AC is not working, now visitors and staff alike complain about the heat. Spaces are untidy or dirty – cue more complaints. A water pump breaks down and needs costly repairs because routine maintenance has not been carried out when it needed to – now the business must find money for emergency repairs. Good facilities management goes mostly unnoticed because the goal is to prevent emergencies and anticipate needs before they arise. So how can a provider deliver facilities management services that

MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

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will lead to a smooth experience and customer happiness? FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER When you have various service providers and contractors operating at once, such as at the Dubai EXPO 2020, or at the FIFA World Cup, it’s very important for the teams to work closely together and ensure that operations behind the scenes are running smoothly to deliver the best customer experience possible. It should feel like one team, not separate entities concerned only with ‘their individual responsibilities.’ Right people, in the right place, at the right time with the right information. It starts with a trinity of people, process, and technology. First, you need the right people in place – whether it’s the people assessing needs, developing processes and operational plans, or the people carrying out the tasks set by those plans – they need to have the right qualifications, experience the right mindset and training. Clear processes and operating procedures need to be put in place, that everyone involved need to be familiar with, understand the mission and the part they play. Finally, it’s all enabled by technology and data. Technology plays an increasingly important role in managing facilities and ultimately in the experience facility

for security threats. Such data is vital not just for the FM team, but also for the events team as it enables them to resolve any issues and ensure that visitors are comfortable and are having the best experience wherever they go. Good facilities management takes advantage of analytics, automation, machine learning, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to track and apply the data they collect to improve the customer experience. Since everything is about providing the best experience, modern technologies can reduce the burden of going through data for insights and deliver the right solutions. Guests walk in and expect everything to work. They don’t notice the work that goes on behind the scenes, but they do notice whether they’re getting the services they need- and expect.

The right stuff The right people, with the right training, in the right place, and at the right time, is crucial to ensuring the success of an event like the Expo

Technology to the fore Technology is playing an increasingly important role in managing facilities and ultimately in the experience users have.

users have. Sometimes the technology is simple – like having sensors in bathrooms to measure how many people have used it to trigger a cleaning request – or a QR code for people to report issues in a certain spot. Other times it’s more advanced like AI using cameras to monitor crowds and identify hot spots, the busiest times of the day, recurring issues such as long queues, missing signs, or even the crowd’s flow throughout the day etc. or even monitor

ENSURING SEAMLESS JOURNEYS Ease of access is also another major factor when it comes to facilities management. How easy is it to get to your destination? Does public transportation reach the area? Are there close parking lots for visitors? What’s the first thing guests see when they arrive? Are there wayfinding signs that help guide visitors at the location? Good experience starts before you get there, for example being able to

Good facilities management takes advantage of analytics, automation, machine learning, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to track and apply the data they collect to improve the customer experience” Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

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And never forget that last impressions are as important as first. Just think of the stress of trying to pay at a restaurant when you’re in a hurry to leave, but the waiter has lost interest in your table as your meal is done. Even amazing experiences can be ruined at the last moment. Just think of the last time you sat in a restaurant trying in vain to get the attention of the waiter so you can pay for your meal, only to get ignored for ages. How did you feel about the restaurant at that point?

access information online, through websites and applications and availing all correct information and much more. This will allow guests to plan their day ahead of time, such as the places to visit, places to eat, list of special activities happening on that day, location map and much more. Wayfinding is key aspect of user experience at any facility. We can all relate to the frustration of not knowing where to go next, or where to find services or facilities. Good FM plays a role in ensuring the signage and even the space itself helps guide people in the right direction. Keeping the user’s perspective in mind, especially at huge events such as EXPO 2020, which spans over 4sqkm where there are multiple pavilions, directions, and signage is key to delivering an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons. Hospitality teams that greet you, are approachable, proactive, and knowledgeable is key to ensuring world class experiences and can help recover most situations where experiences don’t go to plan. Actively looking for people who might need assistance and proactively seeking to help, instead of standing back and waiting for you to approach. To enable this, hiring the right people with the right mindset, training them on what it means to create great customer experiences

through their own actions and empowering them to act is key. If you are visiting Expo, notice how the guest ambassadors and volunteers engage visitors in a welcoming, proactive manner. Ask them a question and it’s clear they are truly knowledgeable about the site and what’s available. A great example of how frontline teams are part of shaping great experiences and add to it even when you don’t need their help.

Improved service Outsourcing in the public sector services is becoming more relevant and vital as it saves costs and improves service, the authors say.

Elevating experiences Having hospitality teams that are knowledgeable, proactive and approachable elevates the visitor experience.

DELIVERING EFFICIENCY & REDUCING COSTS Taking a step back, it’s important to note that outsourcing facilities management from the private sector delivers both efficiency and cost saving since private companies have the capability of scaling up and down, depending on the size of the project and resources required. As the government adapts to the new economic realities of emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, outsourcing in the public sector services is only becoming more relevant and vital. It offers both cost efficiencies and improved, more flexible services to the public, so at a time when governments need to tighten spending, it is a critical moment to drive forward with outsourcing projects.

MEConstructionNews.com | Expo 2020 Dubai Report

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SUSTAINABILITY

France Pavilion

Building for People FRANCE

Mark Dowdall visits the French Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to learn about how cities must not only be built around their residents’ needs, but also adapt to their changing lifestyles

ey insights into the building of smart, sustainable cities were shared on November 4, when major urban and economic French development agency, Euromediterranee (EPEAM), came to Expo 2020, to highlight its approach to developing France’s second largest city, Marseille, into a sustainable city of the future. The event, which attracted investors from the Middle East and was held as part of the sustainable city week at the French pavilion, addressed key themes in this area. Amongst the most notable discussions was how cities must not only be based around

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

The France Pavilion stands at 21 metres and provides a panoramic view of the Expo 2020 Dubai site

people’s needs but must be adaptable to their changing lifestyles too. “A sustainable city means it has to last and If you want it to last, first you have to build for the will of the people,” said Hugues Parant, CEO of EPAEM, at the event. “The will of the people has been changing tremendously since the millennial generation. If you want to build a city on that and keep it lively and trendy in 10 years, you must analyse what people will want when it comes to nature, environment, energy and mobility.” “Maybe right now you have people staying in a neighbourhood, in Marseille or in Dubai, among people like them, with the same income. It can’t be the trend of tomorrow. People will leave

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The will of the people For a sustainable city to last, it must be built as per the will of its inhabitants, says Hugues Parant.

Technology for all A well designed and planned smart city will have services and solutions accessible to all segments of society, not just the elite and upper class.

if they are not in that environment of capacity to meet others and create, through these interactions, something new. In Dubai, or anywhere else, instead of building and selling, you need to be on a long-lasting relationship with the city. What matters is the dynamic for the city.” Sustainability has formed an important part of Expo 2020 with the global event highlighting efforts being taken to preserve our environment and co-exist harmoniously, with pavilions demonstrating some of the world’s most advanced technologies being used to do achieve this. One of the Expo’s aims is to engage the international community in collaboration and to inspire action to address sustainability challenges. Parant’s visit to Expo 2020 coincided with the arrival of twelve French architecture firms in Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi to meet with major public and private contractors between October 31 and November 4. The CEO explained that the most recent part of the development agency’s keystone project, in Marseille, is addressing certain sustainability challenges by creating a more interactive, long-lasting environment for its people to live in. “In this part of the city we are building now, is a 60,000 square metres compound where there is a mixed office, hotel, retail outlets, school and residences. Among the inhabitants, 25% are on social housing in the same compound. Buildings like this are not only mixed use in terms of offices, hotels, and apartments, but also mixed use socially. “We have people from the office, going out of the office and being in the school, for example. The central courtyard is partly for the school, and partly for the offices and the average inhabitants. It was a risk for us. How can the people who are white collar workers, used to coming in the morning and leaving in the evening, accept that? But they have more than accepted that!” He added: “I think the key point [for creating these cities] will be public space. Public spaces will be critical. Make people want to gather, firstly. Secondly, everything that is common will be critical

The will of the people has been changing tremendously since the millennial generation. If you want to build a city on that and keep it trendy in 10 years, you must analyse what people will want when it comes to nature, environment, energy and mobility”

– balconies, the rooftop, the heart of the compound. That for us is the main piece of success if you want to create a city in the future where people can interact.” Speaking on how new innovations could make cities smarter, however, Parant was keen to point out that technology must be used wisely and is not the only form of intelligence when it comes to building cities. “The definition of smart is intelligence. Intelligence is not only connections through technology. The technology is just a tool. Yes, technology is critical but first, it must bring more services than the existing services,” he says. “So, skipping the distance (and making communication quicker and more efficient), that’s a service. The second element is giving services that bring things to people, and that are useful for the project we have of making the people live together. “The third one is full access for everyone whatever the social level or the income level is. Some technology is very accurate in many cities, but you cannot imagine that the access to those services will be the same for everyone. Technology can also be a tool for segregating people – so we avoid that. We only want those services that are accessible to the family living in social housing, as well as the family living in a six-bedroom apartment facing the sea. That’s very important.”

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DESIGN

Malaysia Pavilion

Putting Sustainability First MALAYSIA

Serina Hijjas, principal director of Hijjas Architects + Planners reveals how the Malaysia Pavilion shows that Malaysia is serious about putting sustainability at the top of its agenda

he Malaysia Pavilion is located in the Sustainability District at EXPO 2020 Dubai. The 1,234sqft pavilion’s key theme is ‘Energising Sustainability’ and features a ‘Rainforest Canopy’.

Here, Big Project ME sits down with Serina Hijjas, principal director of Hijjas Architects + Planners to discuss the design and delivery of the pavilion. What was the inspiration for the design of the Malaysia Pavilion? How does it tie into the government’s vision of what it wants to achieve with the Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai? Malaysia’s Rainforest Canopy Pavilion was inspired by traditional Malaysian homes built on stilts. Translating the idea of synergising with nature and touching the ground lightly, the Malaysia Pavilion symbolises the synergistic relationship between man and nature. We believe that the expansion of human civilisation should not alienate the natural habitat, but instead strive to integrate into it. Nature-based solutions, biomass from agriculture or plantation, hydro energy all to be more balanced with optimising biodiversity and forest restoration.

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

Human intervention is inevitable for the country to grow. But with adequate realisation, we can take steps to ensure that human intervention into wildlife habitat is more of a peaceful integration, rather than a harmful invasion. With that in mind, the design aims to celebrate the spirit of forest rehabilitation and the potential in restoring biodiversity and wildlife habitats. This in turn encourages awareness that our intervention is not only to exploit the richness of biodiversity, but also to take better care of it. The Malaysia Pavilion site orientation favours solar self-shading, with the east and west façades being the short façade and minimise the low angle solar radiation impact. The site setting maximises prevailing wind which comes from the NNW direction. Massing of the building is designed to maximise porosity and allow wind through most of the naturally ventilated spaces. The design of the building blocks is elevated for enhanced visual and

Traditional inspiration The design of the pavilion was taken from traditional Malaysian homes built on stilts.

1,234

The pavilion is spread over 1,234sqft and is said to be the first Net Zero Carbon pavilion

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natural cooling experience. With a prominent, unobstructed open space on ground level, the spaces are divided into two parts: the ‘floating’ exhibition spaces above, and the lower ground business centre and offices below. This allows a clear separation between these distinctive functions and users. What fresh learnings has the firm taken away from working on this prestigious project? The project included numerous new aspects such as working with timber, volumetric design of exhibition spaces and the importance of climatic response in the design. Working with timber, we had to create something which wouldn’t unnecessarily heat the pavilion, while still looking aesthetically appealing. For centuries, humans have constructed their shelter and homes using wood. Gradually these structures grew more complex, but wood has continued to play a fundamental role in architecture and construction. Today, especially due to growing concerns about climate change and carbon emissions, wood has been regaining significance as an important building material for the future, if used consciously and sustainably. With a pre-assigned plot, it was important to optimise space to showcase the four sub-themes of the pavilion. The design was more than just designing a building, it was also designing a user experience and sharing a message to visitors. Lastly, the climatic response was crucial in the design of the pavilion. Malaysia wanted to create a Net Zero Carbon Pavilion. Design features had to incorporate elements of green buildings to ensure there wasn’t any unnecessary carbon offset. Further to this, we wanted the design to provide as much natural light as possible in the business centre, on the lower ground floor, and have a natural cooling effect to reduce the consumption of energy. The sunken gardens and rill bed water feature running along the pathway to the first canopy helps create a natural cooling effect. The design is also optimised to guide wind and create a cool breeze through the pavilion. There are numerous elements to consider when designing green

Thinking outside the box Designing and delivering the Malaysia Pavilion highlighted the importance of thinking outside the box and incorporating innovative solutions, says Serina Hijjas.

10% buildings. This project again reminded us of the importance of thinking outside the box and incorporating innovative solutions in the designs. What are some of the Pavilion’s unique sustainable features? The Malaysia Pavilion is the very first Net Zero Carbon pavilion. This is achieved through numerous design aspects as well as the use of green technology. We recommended environmental strategies for the Malaysia Pavilion based on a holistic approach for high performance green buildings. The first is passive energy efficiency by developing the building design and fabric to conserve the energy required to cool, light and ventilate the building. We paid particular attention to the roof construction and air tightness to reduce energy loss in air-conditioned spaces. The pavilion is fitted with a 100m2

The solar energy feature contributes 10% of the pavilion’s energy needs

80%

The pavilion aims to reuse at least 80% of the condensation collected

Photovoltaics PV panel array on the roof. The roof design for solar readiness encompasses provision to accommodate easy electrical installation of solar panels on the rooftop, spatial readiness and the space provision for inverters. The total PV panel system generates approximately 16.4kw/p and above including transmission, switch gears and convertor losses. This contributes approximately 10% of the pavilion’s electricity. The solar energy feature contributes 10% of the energy needs. The second was active building service measures. Having reduced the energy required as far as possible, the pavilion design aims to use as little energy as possible through the energy efficient systems such as: an energy efficient chiller, displacement ventilation system, LED lighting with daylight control etc. All lifts have variable voltage and variable frequency motor drives and a sleep mode feature. Further to this, the pavilion is fitted with LEDs to further reduce electricity consumption. The Malaysia Pavilion is also fitted with waterefficient fixtures and fittings, as well as a water monitoring, metering and leak detection systems. The pavilion aims to reuse at least 80% of the condensation collected. Rainwater is also harvested via the roof and landscape, where possible. The cooling system complies with Dubai’s Green Building Regulations and Specifications. This includes: • Air-conditioning systems with an airside efficiency of at least 0.25 kW/RT • Mechanical ventilation systems with a 15% Improvement factor compared with ASHRAE 90.1 ventilation system efficiency requirement • High performance VRF systems which have 30% improvement over the ICOP figure • Water pumps with VSD control capabilities and efficiency of at least 5% greater than stated in ASHRAE 90.1 What parts/components were built in the country? Most of the building materials were locally available including the Malaysian Meranti wood for the pavilion’s timber façade. Most of the steel sizes are optimised and standardised to few basic elements for modular construction.

MEConstructionNews.com | Smart Cities Report 2021

TRENDS

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Expo Impact

The Expo 2020 Dubai Impact MIDDLE EAST

Emerging trends in construction are showcased at the Expo says Joe Labaky, managing director of UAE and Emerging Markets, AMANA Contracting Group

ith its “Connecting minds, Creating the Future” motto, Expo 2020 is inspiring a future focused on sustainability, opportunity, and mobility. In the

construction sector, in particular, emerging trends as seen at Expo 2020 Dubai could have a long-lasting impact on the industry. Working with their client GAC/PMC EllisDon and Canadian architecture firm, Moriyama & Teshima, for the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, AMANA – as design-build contractor on the project – coordinated different scopes and operational systems with several other companies involved in the project. The Pavilion is designed and operated to welcome approximately 12,000 visitors daily over the six months of operations. Expo 2020 Dubai will shape the region’s construction sector in many direct and indirect ways, such as:

construction industry is moving to reduce carbon emissions to comply with building codes, amidst surging demand for solar energy, greener and smarter buildings. For the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, AMANA applied several best practices in sustainable design to the construction. After the Expo ends in March 2022, the Canadian pavilion material will be recycled or repurposed locally for future projects. Most of the finishes at the pavilion are made of recycled content, the flooring is made from polished concrete (recyclable content) and internal finishes made from gypsum partitions, among others.

LEANING INTO SUSTAINABILITY

DRIVING DEMAND FOR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

Sustainability is a core theme of Expo 2020 Dubai, reflected in the design and construction of its pavilions. Across the GCC, the

Expo 2020 Dubai Report | MEConstructionNews.com

As the Expo 2020 Dubai projects raced to completion amidst unprecedented challenges,

modular construction techniques emerged as a viable solution. Modular construction offers a safer building environment, potentially reducing material waste by up to 30%and improving work safety by up to 70%, as compared to traditional construction. REJUVENATING REAL ESTATE

Expo 2020 Dubai has rejuvenated the UAE’s real estate sector, and the benefits are expected to cascade to all segments of the economy. Expo 2020 Dubai’s legacy infrastructure is expected to support thriving communities, in line with the UAE’s ambitious plans for socioeconomic growth over the next 50 years, and new relaxed investment and residency regulations. On the back of these developments, demand for various real estate products, including residential housing, hospitality and schools is expected to increase.

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