Finland Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai | JKMM Architects

THE DESIGN CONCEPT OF THE FINLAND PAVILION “Lumi”

“Lumi” or “Snow Cape” is the name with which Finland is going to present itself at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. Resembling an Arabic tent made of snow, the Finland Pavilion aims to bring together the country’s icy landscapes with the culture of Expo 2020’s host nation. Lumi is Finnish and means “snow”. Inspired by the white blanket of snow which covers the Finnish landscape from autumn to spring, the Finland Pavilion resembles a white tent made of snow. The simple, elegant design reflects the fascinating tradition of Finnish architecture. Finland Pavilion was designed by a work group, made up of Expomobilia, JKMM Architects, Beyond Limits, Factornova and FiveCurrents. 

Inspiration and design
The Finland Pavilion takes its inspiration from Finnish nature, design and innovation.

1. Nature
The pavilion tells about pure and clean Finnish nature. Every autumn, Finnish landscape is covered by first snow, pristine layer of white. Snow covers the whole country like a giant tent. This is why Finland Pavilion looks like a white tent made of snow.

2. Design
Finland has a unique and long heritage in design and architecture. The pavilion can also be seen as a design object telling a story about this heritage. From outside, the shape is simple but refined; inside a dynamic, open “gorge” is carved into the building. The pavilion aims to stand out from the complex visual noise of its surroundings.

3. Innovation
Finland has a unique history of innovation. Innovation often requires thinking “out of the box”, an element of surprise. In the pavilion, the surprise is the wooden heart and exhibitions inside. Waiting to be discovered, the pavilion offers a cool shaded refuge for Expo visitors. Best innovations are simple but intelligent, this is also the approach of the architectural concept. 

Fusion of cultures
The Finnish Pavilion building is incorporating visually both Finnish and Arabic cultures. The exterior of the pavilion is white as snow with an entrance that gives an impression of arriving in an Arabic tent. Combination of Finnish natural design and innovation is combined with Arabic visual features. The Finnish pavilion is a meeting space - Finnish Majilis - a tent where connections between Finnish and Arabic minds can be fostered. Finnish pure and clean nature is elaborated with a lake and the deck leading to the pavilion. 

Five elements
The Finnish Pavilion consists of five main elements, which are woven together to create the whole.

1. Lake (Järvi)
The pavilion is surrounded by three lakes in the form of shallow water pools. Lakes cool the air and tell about Finnish nature.
2. Deck (Laituri)
All visitors enter through a deck which forms the entrance plaza of the pavilion.
3. Gorge (Kuru)
The central void of the pavilion is a dynamic space made of wood, which opens to the sky. It is a multifunctional space for events and activities and also the key space to meet and greet visitors.
4. Snow surface (Hanki)
Light exterior envelope gently embraces the inner body of the pavilion. The surface of the snow forms a sheltering tent-like structure giving the visitors cool shade from the sun.
5. Sail (Purje)
Sign of Finland Pavilion is placed as a separate sail-like element at the front plaza. The sail also functions as a sun canopy.

Smart Pavilion Building
Despite its story inspired by Finnish nature, design and innovation, Finland Pavilion also embodies functionality and practicality which have always been at the core of Finnish innovation.

1. Functions
The pavilion is clearly divided into two main levels.
Ground level is dominated by an open central void surrounded with the main exhibition hall. In the exhibition Finland will be presented as a destination for business, partnerships, investment opportunities and travel in sequence of sectors. The latest innovations reside primarily in the corporate world; consequently, technological innovations of Finnish globally operating companies are a strong element in the exhibition. Finnish nature, travel destinations, education, health & wellbeing and digital solutions are all incorporated into the comprehensive exhibition of Finland. The second level VIP and Conference area is bringing the meeting of minds to a deeper level. In this multifunction area business partners, decision makers, politicians, administrations and all other invited groups can meet face to face in the cool shaded refuge inside the Finnish-Arabic tent or Finnish Majilis.

2. People flow
Finland Pavilion is functionally organised, and the visitors’ routes are carefully planned to assure efficient people flow. All spaces are planned according to the barrier-free building regulations, creating all the premises accessible to everyone. 

3. Finnish giftbox
Inside the pavilion, circular transition travels through different sectors presenting the elements and competences of Finland, Finnish companies and values.