Designing and operating a world-class pavilion
KSA Pavilion, Expo 2017
Published on
October 2025
Location:
Astana, Kazakhstan
Client:
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE)
Services:
Experience Design, Operational Planning, Staff Development
Partners:
Graham English & Co, Hypsos, Talents
Project date:
2016–2017
Project description:
We were appointed to help design and operate Saudi Arabia’s national pavilion for the 2017 Expo in Kazakhstan.
The pavilion offered a window onto the rich heritage and potential of Saudi Arabia and was one of the most visited pavilions at the Expo, welcoming over 742,000 visitors. We developed the interpretation strategy, key messages and detailed design of the experience. The centrepiece was a large-scale audio-visual piece developed in partnership with Graham English & Co, which highlighted the Kingdom’s existing projects and future aspirations. During the Expo, we led the operational management of the pavilion, recruiting, training and managing 40 Kazakh guides, and designing and implementing a range of programming initiatives.
