UAE Pavilion: Iconic Dune-like Domes!

Client: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
Consultant: GHD
Contractor: Scan Construction
 

Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, is situated off the Persian Gulf and is characterized by beautiful high dunes and long sand valleys. Dune bashing is a popular adventure sport.

Team Creation recently handed over another landmark in the form of UAE Pavilion on Saadiyat Island. Shaped like two parallel sand dunes – smooth and curvaceous on the windward side, steep and rippled on the eroded side – this award-winning building was originally designed for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, relocated to Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi in 2011, and has now undergone a complete refurbishment.

Along with neighbouring Manarat Al Saadiyat, its major role since arriving on Saadiyat has been to host Abu Dhabi Art and today the UAE Pavilion provides a unique event space with the ability to host everything from art galleries to gala dinners.

Creation is proud to have been associated with this project for supply, testing and commissioning for lighting and controls for interior, façade, and landscape. Given the enormous scale of the project as it stands 20 metres tall and covering an area of 3,500 square metres, we set about putting together a solution that offers the optimized blend of quality vs performance.

A project as high profile and as large as the UAE Pavilion needed a palette of leading lighting brands such Ruco Licht, Enigma, Lamp83, SGM, XAL, Linea Light, Leds C4, iGuzzini, Rosco, Osram, Ligman and Roma Luce to suit the multiple needs of its interior space.

“We had a short timeframe for delivery as the entire project was completed within eight months. Also, certain areas required redesigning due to changing concepts in interiors/architecture for which our experience of 22 years came in handy” reveals Mr. Dharmendra Patel, MD, Creation.

For Interior Lighting controls, Creation opted for the Imagine system from the nearly 100-year-old Helvar, which is a lighting management solution with great integration possibilities. Helvar is noted for its reliability, compatibility and versatility and is robust enough to withstand the tough wear and tear expected at such a busy place.

“Initially there were no lights on the façade. However, it was felt that the unique architecture needed to be highlighted in a subtle way. For this, we recommended SGM P5 fixtures. To deliver the desired effects, multiple mock-up options from different locations on the facade were created. And finally, to offer boundless creativity with the façade lights, Sympholight (Osram) was introduced for DMX control,” explains Mr. Patel.