Austrian Pavilion

Austria’s pavilion in Dubai was another extraordinary project and a worthy successor to its award-winning pavilions at the last two Expos in Milan in 2015 and Astana in 2017.

The "Austria makes sense" programme reflected a holistic and well-thought-out concept from the smart, sustainable architecture to the exhibition inside the pavilion and combined people, technology, and the environment in an engaging experience for all senses.

A special area, the iLab showed forward-looking solutions from Austria.

"The winning project by querkraft architekten stands out because of its distinctive architectural qualities, both in terms of its exterior appearance and in terms of the possibilities for interior design. The deliberate sensual character of the architecture creates attractive possibilities for interdisciplinary cooperation with artists and designers from other disciplines."
Excerpt from the jury statement

Awards for the pavilion

The pavilion not only impressed visitors, but also experts from all over the world. The pavilion had received the following prestigious awards so far:

BIE Expo Official Participant Awards | Silver Award | Category “Architecture & Landscape” | medium sized Pavilions
Global Architecture & Design Award 2021 | Category “Sustainable Architecture”
BLT Built Design Award 2021 | Category “Sustainable & Energy Saver"
German Design Award 2022 | Category „Special Mention – Eco Design”
Exhibitor’s Magazine World Expo Award | Category „Best Sustainable Design“
Austrian Green Planet Building Award
urban design & architecture design award | Gold Winner
The Green Good Design Award 2022
Austrian National Award 2022 | Special Award “Spaces & Environment”
Architizer A+Award | Jury Winner Category “Architecture + Sustainability”
International Architecture & Design Award 2022 | Category “Pop-ups and Temporary Architecture Built”
XAVER 2022 - Swiss Award for Excellence in Live Communication | Category “Best Supplier Services”
Red Dot Award 2022 | Design Concept
2A Architecture & Art Magazine Award | Specially Venerated Pavilion
Red Dot Award 2022 | Visual Concept

So how did the pavilion look?
- The Austrian pavilion was made from interlaced cones, plastered with loam rendering. The truncated cones were cut off at different heights, creating openings for light in varying sizes, which results in an impactful experience of the space. The Austrian pavilion brought the advantages of the combination of traditional and state-of-the-art building knowhow to life: pollutant-free, pleasant room climate, striking lighting ambiance, and spectacular and multifaceted room sequences.
What was there to see and do in the pavilion?
- The focus was being placed on the visitors, who were able to experience Austria with all of their senses and in a truly unique manner via digital technologies. The pavilion sent visitors on a journey made possible by the creative use of digitalisation and high-tech solutions made in Austria.
  The Austria pavilion was based on the motto “Austria makes sense”. This began with the smart, sustainable architecture and extends to the innovative projects and products in the iLab that showcase the innovative prowess and economic capabilities of Austria. At the same time, the pavilion was a place for reflection where visitors are made more conscious of themselves and the environment.
What was there to eat?
- Culinary delicacies from Austria, particularly desserts – with coffee, of course – were a favourite not only in the Arab world but with visitors from all over the globe, and they share a special association with Austria. An upscale “Viennese coffee house” in the centre of the pavilion built on the idea of dialogue and the exchange of ideas, inviting visitors to linger.
  
  The catering for the guests in our coffee house was provided by our gastronomy partner Austrian Delight.

What did iLab stand for?
- Our iLab was a place for in-depth discussion and reflection. The iLab stood for innovation, inspiration, information, ideas, interaction and more, To underpin the thematic variety, our iLab was used for temporary exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and even installations and experiments that provide a meaningful contribution to the high quality of Austria’s diversity. Here, research institutes, institutions, universities, and other organisations was offered an additional platform for presenting their ideas, innovations and solutions.
What did the pavilion offer to Austrian companies?
- A VIP area was available for Austrian companies and delegations to hold their own events, to exchange ideas with guests such as specialists, partners, and stakeholders in a relaxed atmosphere. The VIP area could be used in a variety of ways and offers a venue for receptions, information events, networking events, company presentations, concluding an incentive trip, and more.
Who came up with the idea for the pavilion?
- An interdisciplinary jury of experts recommended the project “Austria makes sense” under the direction of querkraft architekten.
  - General planners: querkraft architekten
  - Curatorial team: büro wien, Ars Electronica Solutions
  - Graphics: Bleed Vienna – Astrid Feldner + Marc Damm
  - Project management: Werner Consult ZT GmbH
  - Statics: Werkraum Wien – Peter Resch
  - Building physics: IPJ – Ingenieursbüro P.Jung – Peter Holzer
  - Green space: Green4Cities – Lisa Enzerhofer + Bernhard König
  - Model: Gerhard Stocker Modellwerkstatt
  - Visualisation: Patricia Bagienski
  - Landscape Design: Green4Cities GmbH + Kieran Fraser Landscape Design e.U.
  - Light design: Pokorny Lichtarchitektur