- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Architect: Yuko Nagayama
- Completion: 2020
- Client: Obayashi Middle East LLC
- Cladding: PTFE fabric sails
- Supporting structure: Three-dimensional cubic lattice made of MERO Ball Node System
With a delay of one year, EXPO 2020 started on 01 October 2021.
Sustainability is the big topic, with visions for a better world.
MERO-TSK was part of the effort and realised the Japan Pavilion.
As soon as you enter the Japan Pavilion on the Expo 2020 site, you are greeted by a gentle breeze. This is thanks to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, which inspired the design of the pavilion facade. Designed by Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, the white exterior uses a natural airflow to cool the pavilion.
In the pavilion you will find a mix of culture, history and technology at every step.
With a total surface of 1,389 m² (roof and facades), the pavilion consists of a three-dimensional cubic lattice made of the MERO Ball Node System (KK system), covered with a thin membrane, like Japanese paper, which serves as both shade and cover. The cover was made from individual, customised PTFE fabric sails. The fastening of the individual sails, which was developed especially for this project, allows them to "blow" naturally in the wind, which brings the architect's vision to life. The structural system of the space frame consists of a facade and roof section, with plate supports on the ground and wall supports on the adjacent building.
Since the bottom of the complete facade partially stands in a water basin, the individual parts were given a special coating in this area.
The entire structure has a length of 63 m, a width of 45 m and a height of 12 m. It consists of 1,085 nodes and 3,255 members, as well as 1,800 fabric sails.
The MERO systems offer numerous advantages over conventional steel structures with welded joints: Supreme quality, made in Germany.
