McLaren Construction building UK’s Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion
UK company goes to Es Devlin for design, experience specialist Avantgarde and Pico for ‘brand activation’
McLaren Construction is set to build the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Announcing its appointment the firm has revealed that it is working alongside event marketeer Pico and global brand experience agency, Avantgarde.
The design was conceived by UK artist and designer, Es Devlin OBE and “will showcase the UK as a global hub of innovation providing solutions for the future.”
Located in the ‘Opportunity’ district, the UK Pavilion will be situated inside the ‘Opportunity’ district and, according to McLaren, “will enable people worldwide to contribute a word to a collective global message, which will appear on the front façade, generated by artificial intelligence and visitors’ contributions.”
Forming a centrepiece will be a 20m-high, cone-shaped structure made up of rows of protruding slats that extend outwards from one central point to form a circular facade. The building will feature cross-laminated timber on a concrete structure, with much of the pavilion manufactured and assembled off-site in order to maximise quality and safety standards.
The build will support the Expo 2020 Dubai objectives to create a low-carbon economy, using local suppliers and materials wherever possible and employing sustainable construction methods, affirmed the company: “Decommissioning is just as important as construction in this context. Sustainable solutions will ensure that maximum waste is diverted from landfill.”
McLaren said it will bring its award-winning worker welfare measures to the project, meeting the requirements of the UK Modern Slavery Act as a minimum, “which exceeds local legislation. Expo 2020 Dubai are also pioneering a new Worker Welfare standard across the site, demonstrating a commitment to improving the working and health and safety standards afforded to all its workers.”
“McLaren has built its reputation in the region on successful delivery of complex, high-profile projects for discerning customers,” said McLaren chairman’s Kevin Taylor.“ Being asked to build the UK Pavilion is testament to our ability to bring to life some exceptional buildings. We are proud to represent both the UK with this exciting project.”
Peter Sng, Regional Managing Director, Pico added: “We are thrilled to have been chosen alongside McLaren by the Department of International Trade as the official construction partner. Together, we will deliver the unique and exciting UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. This will be Pico’s eleventh World Expo since 1986 and through our experience and dedication, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the UK Pavilion at this significant global event.”
