EXHIBITOR MAGAZINE'S WORLD EXPO AWARDS BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: SAUDI ARABIA

DESIGN: Foster + Partners

FABRICATION: RIMOND Japan KK, Tanseisha Co. Ltd

Few environments captured the essence of their respective countries better than the Saudi Arabia pavilion. As proof, it took home multiple awards in categories ranging from Best Large Pavilion to Best Use of Technology. However, beyond showmanship and emotional impact, the pavilion delivered a minimal blow to Mother Nature, earning it the top spot in the Best Sustainable Design category as well.

Beyond mere material selection and reuse considerations, designers employed computational fluid-dynamic simulations to devise a footprint that channeled cooling summer winds through its streets and featured lushly landscaped environments that shielded visitors from harsh northerly winds in cooler months. Similarly, the design optimized seasonal sunlight and shade to ensure comfort year-round, blending environmental intelligence with cultural authenticity.

This intersection of culture and sustainability wasn't lost on jurors. “What impressed us most was how seamlessly the design married science and tradition, showing that sustainability can be both innovative and deeply rooted in heritage,” one judge said.

Within the overall footprint, the structure reflected a lightweight, low-impact philosophy. It employed a modular system that reduced reliance on concrete and steel, with façades clad in super-lightweight honeycomb aluminum panels and thin layers of stone. Rooftop photovoltaic panels supplied up to 10 percent of the pavilion's energy needs, while rainwater recycling and energy-saving luminaires further contributed to its net-zero carbon operation. What's more, 99 percent of the structure, building services, and façade were conceived for reuse, recycling, or recovery.

These efforts aligned with the country's green initiatives and earned the pavilion top global certifications, including an S rating — the highest-level rating from Japan's Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE). The Saudi Arabia pavilion proved that sustainability and spectacle can go hand in hand in an experience that was as responsible as it was remarkable.

By Exhibitor magazine: Linda Armstrong, Sean Carlson, Danelle Dodds, Emily Olson, Nancy Olson, and Charles Pappas