3 apr 17 | The National

Huge dome planned for Dubai’s Expo 2020 site

By Ramola Talwar Badam

A massive dome with trellis framework is being designed as the structure that will dominate the Expo 2020 site in Dubai South.

The design plans for Al Wasl Plaza were unveiled on Monday and showed a dome that would double up as a 360degree screen at night, projecting images to thousands of visitors both inside and outside.
Built of light, translucent material, the dome – 65 metres tall with a diameter of 150m – will hold an estimated 10,000 visitors, said Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president of property at Expo 2020 Dubai.

A public tender would be released soon for Al Wasl Plaza, for which building will be completed by the end of 2019.

Filled with fountains, waterfalls, parks and palm-lined courtyards, the dome will be partly open to the sky at the top.

"Al Wasl is a significant area because it means ‘connection’ in Arabic and is the historical name for Dubai, and it aims to be a link between the east and west even in the Expo," Mr Al Khatib said.

"It will be a central hub linking all three thematic pavilions of sustainability, opportunity and mobility."

Infrastructure work on the Expo 2020 site will be completed by July 2018 and heavy construction will be finished by October 2019.

While a cost estimate for the plaza would be available after the tender was granted, the theme areas on the site will cost about Dh2.2 billion.