Dubai expo and its legacy

The Thematic Districts at Expo 2020, designed by Hopkins Architects, were conceived as a new urban area consisting of 86 permanent buildings across three "petals," each symbolising Mobility, Opportunity, and Sustainability. These districts formed the backbone of the Expo's urban planning and were designed to create a lasting legacy beyond the event itself.

Eric was responsible for developing facade design and public realm shade canopies form concept design to construction.

The design integrates both modern interpretations of traditional architecture and sustainable principles, aimed at providing a seamless blend of contemporary aesthetics and cultural sensitivity. Hopkins Architects emphasized creating a human-scaled environment, with tree-lined streets and shaded courtyards reminiscent of traditional Arab city designs, encouraging exploration and discovery. These spaces were carefully planned to evoke the character of Old Dubai, with indigenous plantings and water features enhancing the sense of place.

A significant feature of the project is the kinetic shade structures inspired by date palm trees, developed in collaboration with Webb Yates Engineers. These structures not only provide essential shading to reduce heat but also act as dynamic elements that contribute to the area's unique architectural identity. Their design includes perforated aluminum panels that pivot in the wind, creating a constantly changing visual experience that both cools the environment and guides visitors intuitively through the space.

The thematic districts were designed to achieve high sustainability standards, including LEED Gold certification, by using modular construction methods and emphasizing energy efficiency. After the Expo, these districts are set to be repurposed into a vibrant urban quarter, supporting creative startups, innovative tech companies, and residential units, fulfilling the Expo's goal of creating a sustainable and adaptive urban legacy.

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I have included this as a reflection of my breadth of previous work and design sensibility. For further information see Hopkins Architects and Webb Yates Engineers

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