The first spectacle of architectural design to be encountered by the millions of visitors to the Dubai World Expo is Kaynemaile’s soaring kinetic shade canopy at the visitor arrivals hall.

During the day the massive shade canopy which features 130,000 square feet of Kaynemaile mesh acts as outdoor air-conditioning with its cooling, shade protection for visitors waiting at the arrivals hall in the extreme Dubai heat.

The fluid movement of the 48 single-piece overhead screens generate a calming sensory experience through the interplay of shadow and light on the ground and on the mesh layers overhead, and the movement of the mesh triggers air flow throughout the space - Kaynemaile calls this unique combination of attributes ‘the WonderCool effect,’ bringing life and movement to static architectural spaces.

By night, an entirely different experience emerges as the canopy comes to life as a backdrop to dynamic light shows which use the defusing and reflective qualities of the Kaynemaile mesh.

With 192 nations on show the World Expo has become an unofficial ‘Olympic Games of architecture and construction’. Kaynemaile’s design solution is certainly no ordinary canopy; “As the main entrance at the Dubai World Expo, it needed to be visually dramatic and highly functional to reflect the international architectural creativity on display” says Kaynemaile CEO and creative director Kayne Horsham.

Kaynemaile was selected for this mammoth design and manufacturing task after traditional woven textile and glass fibre materials failed in endurance field tests in the hot, dry, and windy conditions.

Kaynemaile worked with Woods Bagot UAE on a fast track schedule to develop and engineer the shade canopy. On the project’s success Ian Mason the senior designer of the canopy says; “The canopy looks amazing as we knew it would from the mock-ups and testing. Pleasure to have worked with the Kaynemaile team on this.”

Produced in 100% recyclable lightweight polycarbonate at Kaynemaile’s precision manufacturing facility in Wellington, New Zealand, the screens were produced in four high performance exterior colours, reflecting the palette used throughout the arrivals hall.

“The arc of Kaynemaile’s evolution over 15 years has been creating and delivering no-fuss custom architectural solutions at scale throughout the world,” says Horsham.

One of Kaynemaile’s unique elements is its solar reduction properties; by protecting from direct sunlight and not restricting the cooling effects of air movement, Kaynemaile reduces the total energy costs required to cool buildings in hot climates.

Unlike steel mesh products which act as conductive energy stores, Kaynemaile mesh remains at a near ambient temperature, reducing both radiant and thermal conductive heat on a building’s surface by up to 70%.

Unlike most of the 192 pavilions which are destined for removal after the World Expo closes, the arrival’s hall canopy is considered a legacy project, meaning Kaynemaile’s ‘WonderCool’ effect will keep visitors cool for years to come.

Check out how you can use Kaynemaile for your next exterior project here.

“It was a proud moment to see the canopy at the opening ceremony. Great team effort to turn an idea into a sensational reality!”

—Richard Fenne, Woods Bagot Dubai

Project Details

Client Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) UAE
Architects Woods Bagot UAE
Consultants Mace Group
Engineering consultants Mott MacDonald
System design Kaynemaile
Material Kaynemaile WonderCool™ Mesh
Lighting CD+M Lighting
Main contractor Alec Engineering and Contracting
Installation Mister Shade Me
Photography Archmospheres

Mesh Colour Bronze (custom shade) / Silver (custom shade)