Drawing inspiration from Malaysian’s native rainforests, the national pavilion presents an eloquent vision of timber designed with net zero carbon in mind.
Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2022
First Award | Sustainable Project of the Year (Built)
Project Name: The Rainforest Canopies I Malaysia Dubai Expo Pavilion
Project Category: Sustainable Project of the Year (Built)
Studio Name: Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn Bhd
Design Team: Serina Hijjas, Chuin Wee Lim, Ahmad Shuhemi, Deryan Teh
Area: 1240m²
Year: 2021-2022
Location: UAE,Dubai
Consultants: WEB Structure, LEC M&E Consultants, Atelier Ten, KPK QS, PICO International, RAQ Contracting
Concept is inspired by traditional lightweight Malay houses on stilts of the past and the understory of rain forest treetops. Poised above a lower ground level, the three-storey pavilion with interlocking mass, appearing suspended in mid-air courtesy of slender pilotis.
Floating above the ground, the pavilion adopts the term “touching the ground lightly”, a metaphor for the pavilion’s low carbon footprint. Advancing net zero by using geographical advantage in Dubai to harvest daylight, adopting passive strategies as the pavilion naturally ventilates its visitors approaching pathway. The material selection of Meranti timber itself holds the low carbon footprint, structure was standardized for efficiency, easy disassembly and reuse. 75 percent of building materials that can be upcycled during decommissioning.
The exhibitions hold within he organic canopies exhibit invites visitors to experience Malaysia’s natural setting and why it is the 12th most mega biodiverse country in the world as it sculptures spaces closely integrated with rainforest landscape(firefly poles , courtyards & water rills). From sustainable agro commodities to the PETRONAS LED cube, the pavilion’s many exhibits are engagements of tactile and visual experiences designed to fascinate and educate.
Showcasing Malaysia’s aspirations on advancing Net Zero Carbon at a global level, especially working our nations’ greatest asset.
