Brisbane-based architecture firm, bureau^proberts and creative studio and workshop, UAP (Urban Art Projects) will take centre stage at Expo 2020 in Dubai as the designers of Australia's pavilion.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Australian Pavilion would be a space within Expo 2020 for Queensland businesses to interact with delegations from all over the world including Asia, Europe and the Americas.
"Dubai has long been a popular tourist stopover, but next year the city will welcome the world for Expo 2020 – the first world expo ever staged in the Middle East," the Premier said.
"25 million people are expected to visit Dubai Expo 2020 over 173 days and more than 190 countries are confirmed to participate.
"The Australian Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 will host a targeted business program, a contemporary arts program, VIP events and trade and investment promotions.
"I'm pleased UAP has been selected to deliver the design for the Australian Pavilion – a Queensland company tasked with representing the very best of our State and our nation."
"Dubai is also interested to learn about our experience hosting major events following the success of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games this time last year."
UAP partnered with Brisbane-based architects bureau^proberts, to propose an imaginative and innovative design, which will provide a compelling participation space for Australia.
"It was an enormous privilege for UAP to lead the consultant team through the design of the Australian Pavilion," said Carolyn Karnovsky, UAP Principal.
"With bureau^proberts leading the architectural design and UAP developing the exhibition experience concept, we have endeavoured to create a pavilion that transports and connects visitors to the very heart of Australia."
"It will be an unforgettable experience where ancient narratives are interwoven with futuristic visions of Australian innovation."
Established in 1993 by brothers Matthew and Daniel Tobin, UAP employs more than 200 people worldwide, with studios and workshops in Brisbane, New York and Shanghai, and global satellite offices in Melbourne, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Singapore and Dubai.
bureau^proberts, led by Managing Director Liam Proberts, is a Queensland-based architecture practice with over 25 years' experience designing award-winning projects including multi-residential and mixed-use developments in Australian and international markets.
Managing Director of bureau^proberts Liam Proberts said his company was honoured to bring a taste of Australia to Dubai.
"A visit to this pavilion will feel like a visit to Australia — welcoming and uplifting. That's our goal as architects and as Queenslanders," said Mr Proberts.
"We're well versed in the types of climatic conditions we'll encounter in Dubai. There's a great synergy between our two regions and we look forward to leveraging them to great effect."
UAP and bureau^proberts previously collaborated on the centrepiece of the new United Arab Emirates Memorial Park in Abu Dhabi, 'Wahat Al Karama' and the Pavilion of Honour delivered in collaboration with influential British artist Idris Khan.
The Premier said Trade and Investment Queensland's Middle East office had worked extensively with UAP in the region and continued to provide guidance to Queensland companies looking to forge new connections in the Middle East.
"My Government, through Trade and Investment Queensland, is proud to assist companies to export their expertise, products and services throughout the Middle East market," the Premier said.
"The United Arab Emirates is an essential trading partner for Queensland, with two-way merchandise trade worth $343 million last financial year.
"We are pleased to be partnering with Australia's Federal Government to maximise global trade and investment opportunities for Queensland through Expo 2020 Dubai.
"Recognising the importance of future trade with UAE, in 2018 we opened the Queensland Innovation Hub – a place for Queensland companies to pursue opportunities within the emerging Dubai South precinct.
"Dubai South is one of the world's largest urban developments and thanks to the foresight of TIQ, Queensland companies are in an enviable position to tender for ongoing work in the precinct."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is currently in the United Arab Emirates as part of an 11-day trade mission, which will also see her travel to Germany and the UK.
