Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion @ 2023 Doha Horticultural Expo
Location: Doha, Qatar
Type: World Expo National Pavilion
Status: Built
Interior design developed by JCS GRIECI SANTALENA
KSA Pavilion
Innovations and Environmental Sustainability
“Green desert, Better environment” - The motto of the first International Horticultural Exhibition held in the Middle East and North Africa regions, aims to promote sustainable behaviours and increase environmental awareness, in order to mitigate and reduce desertification through the employment of green solutions.
The universal rendezvous brought in contact a heterogeneous group of experts with the Expo’s goals, giving birth to the KSA Pavilion project. With Expo Pavilion Group and Neon (fka Cityneon), UOOU studio was honoured to present the design and construction for the Saudi Arabian Kingdom at Expo 2023 in Doha, Qatar.
Our eco-centric vision led us to imagine an exhibition area that respects the majesty of Saudi land while inviting visitors to be part of an immersive synergic experience.
Between tradition and innovation
In designing the interior spaces, we perceived the identity of the Saudi Kingdom as deeply related to the smooth equilibrium between innovation and traditions. In like manner, we imagined space as the symbol of an unconventional combination of modern shapes and recurring patterns.
From the main entrance, it’s possible to identify two different areas merging in the same elegant building. The immersive experience dominates the western side, while the eastern one hosts various functional spaces.
In the occidental area, the journey continues through some monumental pivoting doors that, by a charming reception, conduct the visitors to the most exclusive space.
Like a traverse through a Wadi , the VIP area is reachable by a narrow corridor that ends in a light oasis-lounge. This private gathering space appears as a circular sitting room, where a Majlis dominates the scene: in the Arab tradition, a Majlis was the largest room of the house for receiving and entertaining guests, where the men congregate to discuss religious, political, and trade matters. The space’s folkloric atmosphere is enriched by the traditional patterns that extend all over the panels and glass walls, reproducing some Arabic decorations characteristic of the various Saudi regions. The green presence of
indoor plants along with the winding neons, make this sector the perfect match between customs, innovation, and elegance.
Credits
Architectural Project developed by UOOU studio ( Gianluca Santosuosso - Lead Architect) for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia (MEWA) in collaboration with : CNeX (General Contractor) / EPG - Expo Pavilion Group (Melle Pama - Project Leader, Lead Creative) / Nana Boitran (Project Director) / Jasper van Baar (BIM Specialist) / SIDstudio (Engineering) / NiO (Mark Niewenhuis - Exhibition Design) / Virginia Zanuso (Landscape Architect) / Jelly creative studio (Interior Design) / Watercube (Landscape Water Feature Design) / Masman (Interior Drafting) / Bastard Orange (Lighting Design) / Michel Van Tilborg (Concept & Content) / OORKAMERS (Concept & Content) / Mike Pearse (Concept & Content) / Minjung Park (Content Management) / Sandra Keus (Content Management) / Hong Kim (Graphic Design) / Carlo Walhof (Graphic design) / Copalenco (Storyboarding and Illustration) / Anghela Alò (Show Direction and Scripting) / Matteo Fumagalli (Storyboarding and Illustration) / CreateEU (AV Technical Development) / MCW ( LED Façade film Production and Immersive Film Sound Production) / Shosho B.V. (Immersive Film Production Lead) / Redrum Studio (Immersive Film Production) / Matthias Schnabel (Immersive Film Production) / Luma Studio Milan (Immersive Film Production) / Mitchel Tan (Exhibition Film Editing) / Sugarfilms (Exhibition Film Editing) / Loepzuiver (Exhibition Film Editing) / Gavro (Interactive Design and Production) / First Movers Agency (Photos and Videos).
Exclusive landscape
Climbing some sophisticated and curved stairs next to the Majlis , it's possible to reach the exclusive VIP terrace, where a charming outdoor experience is offered by the view over the entire inner garden. The central branching sunshade organises the space around itself, where the presence of refined white sofas and the shady trees, make the building’s roof a pleasant environment to admire the amazing landscape of Doha’s city centre.
