Besix completes construction of Belgian Pavilion at EXPO 2020 site
The firm says the pavilion can be dismantled and reassembled at another location after the event concludes
Construction of the Belgian Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai has been completed and the building has been handed over to BelExpo (the Belgian General Commission for International Exhibitions), Besix has announced. Designed jointly by the Besix Group and Belgian architects Vincent Callebaut and Assar, the building will showcase Belgium, its talents and its assets.
According to a statement, the Belgian Pavilion is now part of the history of Besix and of Belgian representation at world fairs. The firm said that in 2015, it had already built the Belgian Pavilion for the Milan World Expo. After the event, Besix re-assembled it in Belgium, on top of the Citadel of Namur for the city authorities.
The Belgian Pavilion in Dubai can also be dismantled and reassembled in the same way after the gala event, said the statement.
“Besix is very proud to deliver to Belgium this outstanding building, both in terms of architecture and scenography. It will be one of the most emblematic pavilions of the Dubai World Expo, with its spectacular parabolic arch and its panoramic terrace offering a unique view of the Expo site. In the early 2000s, it was also Besix and its subsidiary Jacques Delens which completely renovated the Atomium in Brussels. This link between us and world fairs continues even to this day, and we are very proud to accompany Belgium all the way to the UAE where we have been active since 1965,” said Besix’s deputy CEO Pierre Sironval.
For the construction of the building, Besix said it leveraged Six Construct, the group’s subsidiary in the Middle East. The complementary nature of the teams in Brussels and Dubai was an essential factor in the success of the project, he added.
Managing Director (Middle East) Olivier Crasson noted, “I can only recommend visiting the Dubai World EXPO. Under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ the event demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to actively contribute to shaping a more sustainable world. We are very proud to have contributed to making this vision a reality, including building the inspiring and beautiful Belgian and French Pavilions.”
