A conversation about the impact of the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 - its purpose and process - with architects designing for the World's Greatest Show.

An opportunity to learn the significance of a World Expo, the impact on the residents of the city within which it is held, and the legacy of the various projects with; Andrew Whalley, Chairman of Grimshaw and lead designer of the Sustainability Pavilion, David Spierings of V8 Architects, Project Director of the Dutch Pavilion at Expo2020, and Simon Fraser, Principal at Hopkins Architects working on the Theme Districts. The conversation is led by Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Officer for Exhibitions and Pavilions, Expo 2020.

About Andrew Whalley

Andrew Whalley is the Chairman of Grimshaw Architects. He is partner in charge of the sustainability pavilion at the Dubai Expo2020. Whalley has led projects in a diverse range of sectors including education, performing arts, transportation and offices, his award-winning projects include the International Terminal at Waterloo, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the redevelopment of the historic Paddington Station in London and the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in Troy, New York. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows and also has an Honorary Doctorate from the Glasgow School of Art.

About David Spierings

David Spierings is Project Director of the Dutch Pavilion at Dubai Expo2020 and Associate Architect at V8 Architects. Specialized in design and engineering of complex geometries he has been working on numerous transformation and complex inner city re-developments, such as the design and execution of the new KPN headquarters in Rotterdam. Besides architecture David leads V8 Architects’ research department which is exploring how bio based materials can be used in future buildings. Currently David’s main responsibility is overseeing the design, construction and dismantling of the Dutch pavilion for the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

About Simon Fraser

Simon Fraser is a Principal at Hopkins Architects. Fraser has led the practice's efforts to establish an international presence in the early 2000s beginning with the design for GEK's headquarters in Athens and Shin-Marunouchi Tower in Tokyo. He founded Hopkins’s Dubai design studio in 2004 and has since led large multi-disciplinary teams on a number of projects in the Middle East and Asia, these include Gate Village, a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood of 10 office buildings featuring art galleries, restaurants and offices and The Dubai World Trade Centre Masterplan. Amongst other projects, Fraser is currently working on the Thematic Districts for The Dubai World Expo 2020.

About Marjan Faraidooni

As Chief Pavilions and Exhibitions Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, Marjan’s role is to oversee the development and operations of engaging Expo 2020 led thematic pavilions and exhibitions that bring to life the Expo theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and the sub-themes of ‘Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity. In addition, Marjan also oversees the Expo School Programme which entails engagement initiatives targeted towards the school community and the development of a robust operating plan that ensures safe and educationally enriching visits for students during the 6 months event.

Marjan continues to maintain the responsibility of overseeing the strategy development and execution of the Expo 2020 legacy programme, which includes District 2020. Prior to joining the Expo 2020 team in 2014, Marjan was Director of Portfolio Strategy at Dubai Holding, a government-backed global investment company. Her responsibilities included the development and implementation of strategies for companies across different industries such as healthcare and real estate. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, focusing on healthcare research and planning. Marjan holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Physiology and a Masters of Public Health from Boston University. In 2018, she was recognized by Arabian Business as one of their 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World.

This panel did not require registration was free to attend.