Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg House
Host country/Organizer: Baden-Württemberg Expo 2020 Dubai
GmbH, Baden-Württemberg, Federal State of Germany
Total contractor: NUSSLI

Innovative and Transformative Ideas in Architecture The building is a showcase of engineering, architecture and interdisciplinary collaboration in Baden-Württemberg. The main body of the building seems to hover above the ground. It is formed around a supporting structure reminiscent of traditional Swabian timber framing and was developed in such a way that the architectural, geometric and structural planning are integrally linked (which is also known as parametric planning). On the one hand, this approach allows the structure to be optimized to meet a wide range of architectural and structural requirements, on the other hand, it provides the opportunity to respond efficiently to changing user requirements. The supporting structure and building envelope represent Baden Württemberg s ability to innovate, but also the importance of sustainability in the region. The relevance of wood as a building material can be seen in the federal state’s exhibition. Almost 40 percent of Baden-Württemberg is made up of large forests, such as the Black Forest. These natural, recreational areas are protected and sustainably farmed. The federal state has a long tradition of timber construction. Striving towards a circular economy, BadenWürttemberg today combines it with innovative approaches from Industry 4.0. What is particularly striking for the observer is the wooden facade made of spruce from Baden-Württemberg. The roof structure consists of double glued laminated timber girders that are not clad on the inside. All the material was obtained from Baden-Württemberg, with the front consisting of 120 lamellar parts. Silver fir from the Black Forest was used for the interior paneling. In particular, the so-called technology mirror (the wooden facade on the front) is an eye-catcher. The wooden slats, inspired by the mashrabiya, a sun protection element of traditional Arab architecture, were digitally designed and manufactured, which made it possible to shape the individual beams into the desired form at no additional cost. The technology mirror not only offers visitors a great view of the Expo grounds, but also provides sufficient light inside the pavilion and welcome shade during the midday hours. The pavilion is set to be re-used as a hub for education and training at the end of Expo which will further contribute to sustainable construction in the future. Using a lot of wood was a conscious decision. Wood provides comfort and authenticity and is key to an urban climate-friendly future. In total, more than 200 cubic meters of wood were shipped to Dubai. Most of the wood was assembled on-site by staff from Germany.