After securing the commission in a fierce competition, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture revealed their design of the Al Wasl Plaza for the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. As the Expo's last major design element to be finalized, AS+GG's building will stand among other major pavilions designed by Foster + Partners, Grimshaw, BIG, and Santiago Calatrava's falcon-like UAE Pavilion. Back in 2013, AS+GG had the winning scheme for the 2017 Astana World Expo site.

According to the architects, Al Wasl Plaza is named after a historical reference to Dubai and also translates to “connection”, pertaining to the Expo's overall “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” theme. 

Al Wasl Plaza will be a central event hub at the heart of the 4.38-square kilometer Expo site that is being masterplanned by HOK, Populous and Arup. It'll also connect the three sub-thematic districts, “Opportunity”, “Sustainability”, and “Mobility” — whose pavilions are being designed by BIG, Grimshaw, and Foster + Partners, respectively. 

At 150 meters in diameter, the plaza will include restaurants, fountains, and parks inside that will be topped by a translucent 65-meter-tall domed trellis. The trellis will act as an immersive 360-degree projection surface that can be visible to visitors inside and outside. AS+GG's design also incorporates techniques that calibrate the temperature under the trellis with the temperature outside to create a comfortable environment. 

If all goes smoothly, Al Wasl Plaza will be complete by October 2019. The Dubai Expo will open its doors on October 20, 2020 through April 10, 2021.

All images courtesy of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.