EXPO Shades – Glass Fibre Membranes

For the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, Werner Sobek developed innovative shading systems that connect all the country pavilions on the exhibition grounds. They are designed in such a way that they absorb high deformations without any problems. In total, the structures span an area of around 96,000 m².

Shade for a Desert State

Based on the basic principle of a steel frame structure, three different shading systems were developed to provide extensive spanning without interfering with the visual axes on the EXPO site. The entire structure was certified according to CEEQUAL and achieved the highest level of compliance “Excellent”.

CEEQUAL Certified with Highest Degree of Fulfilment “Excellent”

The first system consists of non-prestressed layers without trusses or visible straps. In case of extreme wind loads, the membrane surface can be brought into a rest position. During the day it provides shade, at night it serves as a projection surface. A total of 228 large-format membrane elements with a total area of 56,000 m² were used.