C P Kurkreja Architects to head the design of India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

The pavilion is conceptualized to celebrate and commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence

The Expo 2020 Dubai is a global stage for renowned architects from all over the world to represent countries whilst showcasing design finesse. With an overarching theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, it is a platform promoting partnerships for innovation, inclusion and understanding. The design for the India Pavilion seeks to exhibit the substantial growth the country has witnessed through the years after Independence, becoming a land of limitless opportunities even for international investors. For the prestigious project, the Architects have amalgamated the ethos of the country’s mobility with technology that infuses a sensory stimulus into the Pavilion.

India is one of the fastest growing nations in the world. Imbibing the theme of ‘India on the move’, the architects designed a moving façade which not only celebrates India’s 75th year of independence but also adapts as a platform to showcase India’s cultural heritage. Using 600 individual blocks, the façade uses kinetic architecture. To celebrate 75 years of India’s independence, seventy-five stories have been identified that would engage visitors through the charm of storytelling through the day, familiarizing them with the history, geography and literature of the country. In the evening, the façade will turn into a vibrant show with sound, light and projections, almost as if hosting a festival. Through the Pavilion, the Architects pay a homage to the same, also fostering the idea of India as a pool of opportunities for investment and collaboration.

Dikshu Kukreja, Harvard graduate and Managing Principal CPKA, explains, “Architecture is an amalgamation of creativity and engineering. For me, representing India on an international platform meant developing a design that creates a meaningful dialogue between the tangible and intangible aspects of the built form. Weaving technology and craftsmanship together, we were able to bring forth a concept which befittingly capsules the diverse cultures of our country whilst captivating the visitors through enthralling storytelling.”

The pavilion employs the use of latest cutting-edge innovative technologies, making the journey through the landscape of the country inclusive and interactive for the visitors. Muse International designed the interiors. The digitized interiors make the experience all the more memorable and are able to transcend the visitor to the vibrant heritages of the country. The visitors will get to witness both physical exhibits as well as immersive digital content which would showcase various sectors in the thriving Indian economy. Programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Start-Up India campaigns would be featured as the key highlights, displaying the country’s capabilities on an international level. The trapezoidal form of the site enables in creation of a visual memorabilia. The vastness brought forth by India’s culture and cityscape is condensed within the site. The different design elements such as the radiant sun-dial and the elaborate Amphitheatre are seamlessly tied into a single harmonious unit.

The India Pavilion extends the position of the country as a thriving hub of limitless possibilities integrating futuristic approach and mobility while projecting the Indian story in a global narrative.

29