The overall theme ‘Growing Green Cities’ in Floriade Expo 2022 is divided in the following 4 sub-themes: Show the importance of green to convert CO2 into oxygen, it purifies water and produces food, and in this way green forms the basis of human life. Make visitors aware of the impact their food habits have on climate change and the alternative choices they can make. Show the value of green for cities and the contribution green can give to the physical and psychological health of residents. A ‘hardware’ and ‘software’ interpretation of energy, displaying how sustainable energy solutions can be intertwined in the design of cityscapes. With the Qatari Desert Nest Pavilion the aim is to create a bridge between Floriade Expo 2022 and Doha Expo 2023, reinterpreting both Events’ subthemes through educational, visual and experiential contents.

A Nest in the Desert

The Pavilion emerges as a prototype for future building technologies and green cities, it uses sustainable materials and eliminates construction waste and negative externalities. Further, the exhibition will showcase Qatar’s positive attitude towards leading the way in sustainable construction through using reclaimed materials, advanced building techniques that utilise cutting edge technology, nature-informed parametric design and adaptable landscapes.

The Burj Al Hamam

The 3D printed Burj al-Hamam pays tribute to the traditionally built pigeon towers in Qatar and is characterized by its special, architectural shape. During the migration season, the tower provides a shelter for more than a thousand pigeons. At the same time, it provides an ecological way of farming. Standing at 12.1 meters, this tower is the tallest 3D-printed tower in the world, verified by a Guinness World Records official. Built without steel reinforcement or poured concrete, Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix minimized the tower’s carbon footprint by significantly reducing both material use and energy in the production process—resulting in up to 60% less CO₂ emissions than traditional construction. This achievement marks another milestone for the Weber Beamix concrete printing factory in advancing sustainable building.

The vertical farm

Vertical farming is central to Qatar's vision for green cities and healthier food systems. By growing crops in stacked layers, Qatar can maximize limited space, reduce water usage, and decrease reliance on imports. This sustainable approach supports food security and aligns with the country's commitment to greener, self-sufficient urban environments.

The energy tower

The energy tower incorporated a combination of solar panels at its base and wind turbines integrated along its walls, showcasing a visionary approach to sustainable energy production. This design emphasizes the importance of clean, renewable energy sources in powering the cities of the future. By harnessing both solar and wind power, the tower symbolizes a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering energy independence, paving the way for greener urban landscapes that can meet the demands of modern urban living without compromising the environment.

The legacy tower

The Legacy Tower was designed with the goal of previewing the next edition of Expo, which was hosted by the country for which our pavilion was created. It served as a forward-looking symbol for the first Horticultural Expo, held in 2023 in Doha, Qatar. At this event, we also showcased another significant project, the KSA Pavilion, highlighting our commitment to innovation and sustainability in architecture and design.

The Desert Nest incorporates a series of sub-themes related to future sustainable living, all of which ultimately have a critical role to play in the overarching theme of Future Green Cities. These can be summarised as: automation and self-building construction systems (in the form of 3D printing) that optimise the use of energy and construction materials and reduce building footprints; vertical farming and hydroponics to showcase the latest food production technologies being employed in Qatar to improve food security and future resilience; wildlife protection and re-population, the tower is inspired by the Qatari pigeon towers and works as a nest in the desert, to provide shelter for birds during the migration season