The Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is a serene sanctuary amidst the arid desert surroundings

Dubai’s World Expo features many remarkable structures, but the Singapore Pavilion stands out with its vibrant greenery. Built around three towering plant-covered cones, the pavilion redefines the typical enclosed space, replacing walls with a verdant belt of trees and plants that generate their own microclimate.

Guests enter through a garden designed to resemble an oasis in the desert, embodying Singapore’s identity as a ‘City in Nature.’ This space offers a peaceful retreat amid the Expo’s hustle and bustle. Phua Hong Wei, director of WOHA, the architectural firm behind the pavilion, explains, 'It’s not just a space filled with greenery—it’s a fusion of architecture and nature. It proves that buildings can be designed to be both environmentally responsible and sustainable, achieving net-zero energy and water in the desert. It’s a prototype that can be scaled and adapted from individual buildings to entire cities.'

Inside, three towering nine-meter cones create distinct thematic areas beneath a suspended garden. The City Cone showcases a film exploring urban growth and its impact on the natural world; the Rainforest Cone replicates a dense jungle environment with plants brought in from Singapore; and the Flower Cone offers a dramatic ambiance where a stunning display of orchids fills the space with visual splendor.

Sustainable technology at its core

The design is inspired by nature, with a series of interconnected systems. A canopy with over 517 solar panels generates clean energy for the pavilion. Groundwater is desalinated and used to irrigate plants and cool the space through mist fans, which lower the temperature by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius without relying on air conditioning.

The lush greenery on the floors, walls, and ceiling naturally helps regulate the temperature and purifies the air. Small robots equipped with cameras and sensors navigate the green walls, monitoring plant health and collecting data on humidity and oxygen levels. This data helps optimize water usage for irrigation and adjusts the grow lights as needed.

Phua Hong Wei reflects, 'The climate crisis underscores that humans are part of the larger ecosystem and the consequences of our actions are undeniable. The Covid pandemic has further emphasized the importance of access to nature. These are urgent reminders that we must actively care for our environment. The pavilion’s philosophy is that buildings should contribute positively, giving back and benefiting the planet.'

The top floor features a 'sky market,' a dynamic space with vendors and workshops, while a circular gallery highlights Singapore's deep connection with nature. The pavilion’s theme, 'Nature, Nurture, Future,' explores how nature, technology, and architecture can coexist harmoniously, reflecting Singapore's success in blending these elements. Despite its high population density, nearly half of Singapore’s land area is covered in greenery, a significant increase from 36% in 1986 to nearly 50% today.

Phua explains that many of the technologies featured in the pavilion can be applied to other buildings, or even on a city-wide scale. 'Our solar canopy, desalination plant, automated irrigation, and dry mist cooling systems are all integrated solutions designed to improve and sustain the environment,' he states.

'By integrating nature into our buildings and urban landscapes, while preserving natural habitats and biodiversity, we can take vital steps toward combating climate change,' says Phua.