Excerpt: Sustainable Austrian Expo Pavilion is a pavilion designed by the architectural firm Querkraft Architekten. In the general hustle and bustle of the EXPO, it stands out as an oasis of calm and relaxation, as an experience space that allows visitors to immerse themselves directly in the values of Austria by concentrating on the essentials. As a gesture to the host country, the unique pavilion architecture relies on a dialogue with Arab building tradition – cones inspired by wind towers – and thus, for the most part, managed with natural air conditioning.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The Austrian pavilion at EXPO in Dubai is one thing: different. In the general hustle and bustle of the EXPO, it stands out as an oasis of calm and relaxation, as an experience space that allows visitors to immerse themselves directly in the values of Austria by concentrating on the essentials. As a gesture to the host country, the unique pavilion architecture relies on a dialogue with Arab building tradition – cones inspired by wind towers – and thus, for the most part, managed with natural air conditioning. Thanks to clever planning and clay cladding, the construction method uses biological processes to control the temperature of the rooms. During the night, the concrete and clay walls absorb the coolness and release it into the interior during the day. In addition, planted cones, a densely greened inner courtyard, and a water mist system regulate the climate naturally.
Compared to a comparable conventional building, the pavilion offers interior comfort and a reduction in total energy consumption, including all auxiliary functions, by 70%. Here tradition meets future-oriented conception – and thus embodies the spirit of modern Austria.
The modular construction of the pavilion is just as future-oriented. The individual cones are made up of just eight different prefabricated parts in an igloo system. They can be reused in a completely different composition at a new location for long-term use after the six-month EXPO event without structural changes. The building poses one of the most critical questions about the future and gives a possible answer: careful and respectful use of our earthly resources.
In the pavilion itself, the unusual, “lively” rooms play with surprising room sequences and incursions of light so that visitors automatically pause, collect impressions and experience Austria with all their senses: the green, diverse landscape, the innovative business location, the cuisine and hospitality, the attractive living space and the intermediary position in the heart of Europe.
In terms of content, the same applies here: less is more. The curation enables complex and interesting topics to be communicated pleasantly, intuitive, and easy to use. Instead of numbers, data or facts, images and emotions convey amazingly impressively – and impressively – what makes Austria so special.
The universally understandable icons and dynamic animations used were specially developed for the EXPO, so the stress automatically stays outside – and the information is intuitively anchored in mind.
By deliberately avoiding language in the classic sense, the Austria pavilion gives all visitors the same access to information. Barriers based on language, education, age or cultural background are dissolved. The playful approach enables adults to gain new experiences, and children embark on an exciting journey thanks to intuitive communication.
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