Shading the Desert Expansive shading systems based on a design by Werner Sobek link the pavilions at the World Expo in Dubai. Due to the corona situation, the first World Expo to be held in an Arab country opened its doors with a one-year delay on 1st October 2021. Over 190 nations are presenting spectacular buildings to the over 25 million visitors expected by the managers of EXPO 2020 up to the end of March 2022. The theme of the event is "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". The country pavilions are connected by elegant shading systems designed and engineered by Werner Sobek, a global engineering and architecture consultancy based in Germany. The innovative constructions span an area of around 96,000 square metres – equivalent to the size of 13 football pitches. The EXPO 2020 pavilions stand on land that was previously barren desert. Visitors have 182 days to explore the newly created site before it is transformed into a new Dubai neighbourhood, "District 2020", when the World Expo ends. 80 percent of the buildings and structures built for the EXPO will be retained. The shading structures covering the walkways between the exhibition pavilions will also continue to be used after the EXPO. These elegant roofing elements provide pleasant shade in Dubai's hot desert climate. Werner Sobek was responsible for these shade structures from the very beginning – starting with the design, general engineering, structural engineering, sustainability concept and support for the certification to CEEQUAL right through to construction supervision. "We are proud that our shade structures played a major part in shaping the EXPO site," declares Holger Hinz, who was closely involved in the project over a period of years in his role as General Manager of Werner Sobek Dubai. Bird-like shade providers and plant-covered pergolas  Based on the principle of a large-span steel-frame structure, Werner Sobek designed three different shading systems. Varying in their visual impression, they are united by the task of acting as a link: "They provide a harmonious connection between the heterogeneous pavilion buildings without competing against them," explains Marc Gabriel, Werner Sobek’s lead architect in the project. He adds: "The client demanded an architectural and engineering highlight, but one that didn't steal the limelight from the pavilions and still ensured a clear view of them. Comprehensive studies were carried out to determine the precise geometry of the sunshade roofs." The shade structures ensure a reduction in ambient temperature of up to five degrees Celsius during the warm months, ensuring a much more pleasant visit to the EXPO in the desert state. "To make sure this was the case, we produced microclimate simulations of the entire public space – including the surrounding buildings and planned vegetation – at several stages in the project," explains Leman Altinisik, one of Werner Sobek’s sustainability experts. A shading system with around 3,500 bird-shaped membrane figures spanning up to four metres covers an area of 16,400 square metres. The winged elements are supported by multi-layered horizontal wire meshing. Climbing plants provide greenery for the second system. These pergolas feature around 11,000 plants rooted at the shading level and cover an area of approx. 19,000 square metres. Besides creating shade, the plants also provide natural cooling by means of evaporation. Especially developed high-tech textile Measuring 56,000 square metres, the largest shading area consists of a canopy made of a non-prestressed fibreglass membrane. The roof construction requires no additional cross members or visible harnesses, making it even more elegant in appearance. Thanks to its lightweight construction, it saves a lot of material and therefore also grey energy and CO2. The high-tech textile covers around 2.7 kilometres of the walkways between the pavilions. The canopy can be retracted to its standby position in no time at all should the wind become too strong. The membrane surface provides shade during the day and acts as a projection screen at night. The textile presented the team at Werner Sobek with huge challenges during both development and production. "The interdisciplinary team of designers and manufacturers minimised the use of material by means of parametric studies," explains Holger Hinz. "The fibre structure follows the distribution of forces and the desired size of the openings in the fabric. It is the first time a multi-axial glass fibre membrane has been realised in connection with a flexible, non-prestressed and moveable structure optimised in terms of load transfer. No flexible non-crimp fabric had been produced on such a scale and in such a quantity before our project. The production systems for the textile were not designed until the sample phase and not built until the contract was signed. Development continued during the manufacturing process." Designed with sustainability in mind When conducting his research to identify a suitable material, Werner Sobek placed great importance on a high level of homogeneity, resource efficiency, recyclability and reducing emissions. "It was the choice of material that enabled the design in the first place," says Marc Gabriel. "We also wanted our design to arouse awareness with regard to sustainability." The shade structures were certified to CEEQUAL Platinum, thus reflecting Werner Sobek's high standards in terms of durable, resource-saving construction. CEEQUAL is the world leading sustainability assessment and awards scheme for construction projects in the fields of infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects. The excellent certification was due to the structures' excellent properties in terms of dismantling and recycling plus the fact that a very large proportion of the materials used was sourced in the region. World's largest BIM model The shading systems were designed in the same overall digital model as all the other EXPO buildings. This BIM model is the largest of its kind in the world. Werner Sobek had to act particularly fast in the design and planning phase, for example presenting the foundation drawings ready for execution in the preliminary phase as these also had an impact on the EXPO infrastructure. Subsequent adjustments were practically impossible as these would also have had an impact on the almost 200 accompanying construction projects on the EXPO site. Stuttgart, January 2022 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested   Data + facts Architecture Werner Sobek, Stuttgart/Germany Planning period 2017 – 2018 Execution 2018 – 2021 Services provided by Werner Sobek General planning Design Structural engineering Planning building technology systems Sustainability concept (use of renewable energy sources and recyclable materials, microclimate optimisation) Support for CEEQUAL certification Construction supervision Gross floor area 96,000 m² Client CH2M Mace Joint Venture on behalf of Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai/UAE Photography Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany Your manufacturer contact: Dr. Frank Heinlein Tel.: +49(0)711 76 750-38 frank.heinlein@ wernersobek.com Your press contact: Heike Bering, bering*kopal, Büro für Kommunikation Tel. +49(0)711 7451 759-15 heike.bering@ bering-kopal.de 1 The elegant shade structures by Werner Sobek covering the walkways between the EXPO pavilions provide welcome shade in Dubai's desert climate. Photo: Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany 2 One of the three shading systems developed by Werner Sobek is covered by around 3,500 bird-shaped membrane figures with spans of up to four metres. The winged elements are supported by multi-layered horizontal wire meshing. Photo: Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany 3 The shade structures were certified to CEEQUAL Platinum, thus reflecting Werner Sobek's high standards in terms of durable, resource-saving construction. Photo: Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany 4 Climbing plants provide greenery for the second shading system designed by Werner Sobek. These pergolas feature around 11,000 plants rooted at the shading level and cover an area of approx. 19,000 square metres. Photo: Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 Measuring 56,000 square metres, the largest shading area for EXPO in Dubai consists of a canopy made of a non-prestressed fibreglass membrane. This high-tech textile was developed especially for the project, serving as shading during the day and a projection screen at night. Photo: Andreas Keller, Altdorf/Germany 5. About Werner Sobek AG Founded by Werner Sobek in 1992, the company is internationally synonymous with engineering, design and sustainability and employs over 350 employees with offices located in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Istanbul, Moscow, New York, Stuttgart and Vienna. Every Werner Sobek project is characterized by a winning combination of outstanding design and premium engineering, incorporating ingenious concepts to minimize the use of energy and material resources. Werner Sobek AG is run under the management of Roland Bechmann, Prof. Dr. Lucio Blandini, Stephen Hagenmayer and Prof. Dr. Thomas Winterstetter. Prof. Dr. Werner Sobek acts as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. For further information please visit: https://www.wernersobek.com/ QR-Code der Pressemitteilung