An artist impression showing the intricate domed trellis of the Al Wasl Plaza; the central area of Expo 2020.
An artist impression showing the intricate domed trellis of the Al Wasl Plaza; the central area of Expo 2020.
An artist impression showing the intricate domed trellis of the Al Wasl Plaza; the central area of Expo 2020.
An artist impression showing the intricate domed trellis of the Al Wasl Plaza; the central area of Expo 2020.

Business

Expo 2020 Dubai awards contract for dome of Al Wasl Plaza

Abu Dhabi-based Cimolai Rimond Middle East General Contracting will provide steelwork for the intricate trellis that will be event's centrepiece

WAM

December 03, 2017

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Expo 2020 Dubai has announced that Abu Dhabi-based Cimolai Rimond Middle East General Contracting will provide steel work for the intricate domed trellis of central Al Wasl Plaza.

The UAE-Italian joint venture will provide the trellis structure for the 67.5-metre tall,130-metre-wide dome, which will become an inspiring piece of architecture at the heart of Expo.

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When finished, the structure will include 13,600 metres of intricate steelwork and weigh 2,265 tonnes. The enclosed space of 724,000 cubic metres is the same volume as 290 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Al Wasl Plaza will be a central space of the 4.38-square-kilometre site. The dome will incorporate a huge immersive projection experience that can also be viewed from the sky above.

Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president of real estate and delivery at Expo 2020 Dubai, said, "Al Wasl Plaza will be an iconic central point of Expo 2020 Dubai. We are glad to be working with Cimolai Rimond Middle East, which has a strong track record, including working on the UAE National Pavilion at the 2015 World Expo in Milan."

He added, "Work on Expo 2020 is well on track and we are making great progress. We will be awarding the final construction contract for Al Wasl Plaza in the first quarter of next year."

Giuseppe Antonio Chiaranda, CEO of Cimolai Rimond ME, said, "We are very proud to be working with Expo 2020 Dubai on such a prestigious project. The Al Wasl Plaza dome will be the literal and figurative centerpiece of the Expo site, and we’re very excited to have been entrusted with the chance to contribute to bringing this new icon to life."

UAE-based companies are playing a leading role in the construction effort, including Al Futtaim Carillion, Khansaheb, Besix, Arabtec and Tristar Engineering, as well as early works completed by Al Naboodah Construction.

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

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