Finland at Expo 2020 Dubai has confirmed90 per cent of the construction of its pavilion, Snow Cape, has been completed. Following the announcement of the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai, the structure has been prepared to withstand the extension period and the remaining construction activity, including the interior fit-out works, is scheduled to resume in April 2021.

Severi Keinälä, Commissioner General of Finland at Expo 2020 Dubai, said of the progress made so far: “Our decision to postpone the final construction elements of our pavilion was made to ensure the final aesthetic elements are as fresh as possible for the October 2021 opening. In particular, the exterior membrane of the pavilion will be added closer to the opening date, as this white surface is what will bring our Snow Cape to life. Once construction resumes next year, our touchless KONE elevators and sliding doors will be installed and preparations will begin on the exhibition space and interior design.”

Snow Cape is located within Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mobility District and the construction activities are being managed and executed by the Swiss pavilion construction specialist, Expomobilia.

“Preparing the structure for a period of hibernation and changing weather conditions has meant pausing the execution of the intricate details of the pavilion’s design and finish. When we return to the site in April 2021, we will finalise the exterior of the pavilion, including the aluminium outer wall of the entrance, the exterior membrane, the granite-decorated lakes located at the pavilion’s entrance and the signage. The substrate of the gorge, the centrepiece of the pavilion, has been completed with the exception of the final wood coating, which will be installed closer to the opening date,” said Dietmar Kautschitz, chief customer officer at Expomobilia.

Several Finnish partner companies have been actively involved in the construction of the Finnish pavilion. For example, Halton Group will provide an air ventilation system based on low-velocity air diffusers inside the main exhibition and gorge areas, ensuring cool and fresh air in the human-level zone up to three metres high. Granlund has assisted during the pavilion planning and construction phase as a consultant and has produced a digital twin of the pavilion, which will be used to monitor the functions of the pavilion throughout the exhibition. Serviz is providing remote indoor air monitoring both before and during Expo 2020 Dubai for not only the Finnish pavilion but for other national pavilions as well.

Keinälä concluded: “To my knowledge, we are among the first of the country pavilions to reach this stage and pause construction on the shell and core of the structure. The envelope of our pavilion has been completed to withstand the winter weather and I am looking forward to finishing the final surfaces next spring and moving on to the interior fit-out phase in order to have a fresh and exciting pavilion, ready to welcome visitors on October 1, 2021. With less than one year to go, the countdown is on.”

The main theme of Finland’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is ‘Sharing Future Happiness’. Visitors will be taken on an interactive journey to discover the origin of Finnish happiness, nature and technological innovations through Finland’s key strengths, which include nature and sustainability, education and know-how, and functionality and wellbeing.