Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion at the 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai, combines energy generation with sustainable design and functionality in the middle of cities. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, a leading high-tech architectural firm, it is a living example of integrated systems design that meets the highest environmental certification possible for a building. The pavilion measures 25,000 sqm with over 1,050 solar panels arranged on a 130 meter wide canopy and ‘energy trees’ around, which together produce four gigawatt hours of electricity per year. It is designed as a zero energy and zero water construction that fully generates its own power and water needs by using condensation and humidity in the air and recycling brackish water. Solar energy takes care of sterilising the water and removing micro-bio contaminants. The green environment underneath the massive canopy uses up to 75% less water while a large part of the interior is underground to reduce airconditioning. Although the future of solar energy may look different in the future, as with future scenarios in general, as a concept design it is an invitation to exchange, stretch and enrich views on sustainable energy and bring different disciplines, functionalities and technologies together in an integrated systems design. The 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai will be open from October 2020 to April 2020.
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