Expo 2020 Dubai has started! The Netherlands has built a sheet pile pavilion in the “Sustainability District”. The pavilion was designed by V8 Architects and is completely circular. We hope you enjoy the pictures and get inspired by the endless possibilities of sheet piles!

V8 Architects built the pavilion largely from steel hired from locally based companies that will be reused once the expo is over. The walls are made from steel sheet piling and the roof from steel tubes, while concrete was avoided in the pavilion foundations. During its lifetime the sheet pile walls will rust, adding to the beauty of the structure. The interlocked Z-type sheet piles are installed and extracted by vibratory hammers.

V8 explains: "The whole foundation of the building is made from steel, which I think is unique in the UAE," "Because normally they would cast concrete and we really had to push hard to get this done with the authorities.

Sand excavated from the site is used for filling the double sheet pile walls working as a temporary insulation material. This sand will be used to fill the plot back in again after the Expo. V8 Architects plans to leave the plot exactly as they found it at the close of the Expo, with all materials either returned to the local construction industry or given a new purpose elsewhere.

Desert stones, rocks and gravel were used for temporary streets. Gravel and stones also make up the flooring instead of concrete, so that it can be easily repurposed. These materials will be collected and re-used on new building sites once the expo is broken down.

The Dutch pavilion is proof that a circular economy was possible when using recycled material, leaving a lighter carbon footprint.

Did you know that Shanghai has its own permanent sheet pile building?

https://www.icevibro.com/article/442/8.html

if you enjoyed today’s post please like and share it on your moments so more of your friends will know about the possibilities of working with sheet piles!

Sources:

https://www.expo2020dubai.com/en/understanding-expo/sustainability-district.

https://www.dezeen.com/2021/10/06/v8-architects-dutch-biotope-pavilion-dubai-expo-2020-architecture/

The pictures below show the sheet pile structure.

WEST FACADE

North facade

Roof

Basement