The Pearl of the Emirates, though not a typical building, is full of beautiful and symbolism. To be revealed at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, the Pearl poetically  recalls “the past when the pearl of the oyster was the major source of wealth in the Emirates long before the discovery of oil and was essential to sustaining the indigenous population,” The design intends to combine the past, present and future on one single spot.

“The smaller Pearls in the landscape produce a natural cycle of water desalination for the daily sustainable supply of fresh water to the lagoons to ensure that water salinity is kept at acceptable levels for the wellbeing of the mangroves.” With details like this, you can tell that the Coop Himmelblau firm was very focused on environmentalism and sustainability

I think the coolest part of the exhibition pavilion is how the 7 individual petals (which are symbolic of  “the future with the seven exhibition spaces of the seven Emirates of the UAE”) open and close with the path of the sun. It seems as if the technology and the natural world are one entity and I think there is something beautiful about that kind of mindful design.