• India Pavilion is one of the largest pavilions at the Expo, at par with pavilions of countries such as USA and China

• Among one of the three pavilions that will be retained for posterity in Dubai’s legacy phase as an Indian centre.

• The outer façade is designed using kinetic architecture which celebrates India’s 75 years of Independence through storytelling while instilling emotions of pride and enthusiasm

The Expo 2020 Dubai is a global stage for renowned architects from all over the world to represent countries whilst showcasing design finesse. With an overarching theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, it is a platform promoting partnerships for innovation, inclusion and understanding. The design for the India Pavilion seeks to exhibit the substantial growth the country has witnessed through the years after Independence, becoming a land of limitless opportunities even for international investors. For the prestigious project, the Architects have amalgamated the ethos of the country’s mobility with technology that infuses a sensory stimulus into the Pavilion. The India Pavilion is one of the largest pavilions at the Expo, at par with pavilions of countries such as USA and China. It is one of the three Pavilions at the Expo which would be retained for posterity after the event and would be a part of the Legacy Phase, Dubai. 

Dikshu Kukreja, Harvard graduate and Managing Principal CPKA, explains, “Architecture is an amalgamation of creativity and engineering. For us, representing India on an international platform meant developing a design that creates a meaningful dialogue between the tangible and intangible aspects of the built form. This was a very unique project to work on because it is showcased on a global stage where you have an assortment of architecture from around the world. How does one capture or freeze India and its diversity into one building? Does one just make a hash of different architectural styles from the South, North, West and East of India? Or does one make an amalgamation of their unique features using all the clichés like arches and domes, or do we do something different? These were the questions we were faced with. We felt that the best way to communicate an India on the move, the transformational aspects of the country so to speak, was to bring that dynamism to the façade. We chose to represent this using a kinetic façade with rotating elements that can become a blank canvas given to India to tell its story. Weaving technology and craftsmanship together, we were able to bring forth a concept which befittingly capsules the diverse cultures of our country whilst captivating the visitors through enthralling storytelling.”

India is one of the fastest growing nations in the world. Interaction through celebrations, travel, community gatherings are few things that keep the human spirit alive. Mindfulness in architecture is the word of 21st century, bringing together eco-conscious and technology in a holistic manner. Through the Pavilion, we hope to pay a homage to the cultural multifariousness of our country whilst nurturing the idea of India as a pool of opportunities for investment and collaboration. As one of the fastest growing nations in the world, the design of the Pavilion imbibes the theme of ‘India on the move’. The façade comprises of 600 individual blocks that move using kinetic architecture. The design also celebrates India’s 75 years of Independence. Through seventy-five identified stories, the façade would engage visitors through the charm of storytelling through the day – familiarizing them with the history, geography and literature of the country. In the evening, the façade will turn into a vibrant show with sound, light and projections, almost as if hosting a festival. The awkward-shape of the trapezoidal site has been designed to create a visual memorabilia and utilise the land to its full potential. The planning of the site is such that it condenses the vastness of India’s culture and cityscape within it. Different design elements such as the radiant sun-dial and the elaborate amphitheatre are seamlessly tied into a single harmonious unit. The pavilion is the tallest at the Expo. We used sustainability as one of the key design features, integrating climatological influences of the region with technology. Movement in façade helps control factors such as sunlight and wind inside the Pavilion which is helpful in regulation of natural daylight and ventilation. We also incorporated skylight in the design to optimise natural daylight in the interiors. Using solar panels installed on the terrace, we maximised the benefit from Dubai’s harsh sunlight. The chakra is designed using steel construction with modular steel members that can be recycled. 

The India Pavilion amplifies the country’s position on the global map as a thriving hub of limitless possibilities integrating futuristic approach and mobility while projecting the Indian story in a global narrative.