One of the most awe-inspiring pavilions at the Expo 2020, was the Korean Pavilion embodying the theme “Smart Korea, Moving the World Forward.” It was the fifth-largest exhibit at the Expo, and the entire pavilion was shaped like an octagon. The unique pyramid structure ensured enough light entered the pavilion, while the north façade had rotating cubes that displayed myriad images and colours. To truly revel in the beauty of the pavilion, visitors could walk through the spiral aisles to admire the exhibits inside while still catching glimpses of the extraordinary view.
Established in 1962, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) helps expand small and medium local businesses in overseas markets. They also work to attract foreign investment and develop international trade relations. KOTRA is known for spearheading innovative businesses and successfully building mutually beneficial partnerships. They sustain their growth through 127 offices worldwide, with over 15 offices in West Asia, including one in Dubai Media City.
The client wanted to truly showcase Korea’s forward-thinking vision. They designed a unique façade for the pavilion, with a steep slope on the south to let in adequate light and warmth. On the opposite side, a rotating cube protrudes from the basic slope, creating a dynamic façade that changes with
every passing hour. The client wanted to build a glass façade that ensured safety while still offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
Working with global industry leaders at such a crucial exhibition meant we had to ensure that every solution we offered met the most stringent safety and quality standards. The pavilion’s complex design required us to use panels that did not require any maintenance while still offering incredible visibility and the highest possible safety. Given the extreme weather conditions in Dubai, we had to ensure that our products allowed controlled daylight entry whilst minimising solar gain. Since the structure had a steep incline, we had to raise the scaffolding one layer at a time to complete the installation. Additionally, we had only two months to complete the entire project.
The key challenges were to:
Our first priority was to find the ideal glass for the façade, addressing the aesthetic and performance requirements, especially with the fire safety requirements in mind. After considering all the options, we opted for Forster thermfix vario, which allowed us to choose the sub-structures as per our requirement. To ensure the structure did not require maintenance and was durable, we used 100% rust-proof stainless steel for the sloped glazing. We also used SCHOTT PYRANOVA to meet the EI 60 fire-safety requirements, something that is incredibly crucial at high-traffic events such as Expo 2020. Guardian SunGuard® SN 70 T was selected for the build-up due to its high selectivity of solar penetration. For the installation, we created a customised bracket that ensured complete safety and used a spider sucker to expedite the installation of heavy panels. To ensure seamless fitting on the inclined façade, we used a special electric winch that allowed workers to install the panels at the required angle.
For this project, we relied on our years of experience with unique designs. Our strong alliances with glass manufacturers enabled us to source the ideal products, required for the build-up, in record time despite the supply chain issues caused by the pandemic. Since we always stay ahead of the curve, we could swiftly procure and use the necessary technology to process and install the glass panels for the sloping façade. We completed the project within the given duration of just 60 days.
The Korea Pavilion at Expo 2020 has attracted a lot of attention. The dynamic façade with over 1,500 rotating cubes grabs attention instantly. The dramatic ramps provide an immersive experience for visitors as they switch between the inside and outside of the pavilion. In just two months, over 300,000 people visited the pavilion, making it one of the most visited exhibitions at Expo 2020!
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Future Architectural Glass, LLC (Future Glass) is a joint venture between a multinational & diversified Singapore corporation and a leading Indian glass conglomerate. The company has positioned itself to establish itself as UAE's premium glass processor having the entire gamut of European machinery and systems to process any type of interior and exterior glass.
Since 1976, the group has been serving the needs of the architectural glass market by providing the latest products suiting the dynamic needs of architects/consultants. We started operations as a glass trading and distribution firm and ever since have expanded our products and services to include safety glass manufacturing and providing specialty glass solutions.