Rove Expo 2020: A Social Landmark at the Heart of Expo City
Located beside the iconic Al Wasl Dome, Rove Expo 2020 occupies one of the most prominent sites within Expo City Dubai. Designed to serve global travellers, students, and business visitors, the hotel delivers accessible, design-led accommodation without compromising on comfort or quality.
Completed in 2021 for Expo 2020, the project by the RSP Interior Design Team was envisioned as more than a hotel. It is a vibrant, community-focused destination—part hospitality, part social hub—reflecting the energy, diversity, and ambition of its extraordinary setting.
Project Details
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Completion: 2021
Client: Expo 2020
Services: Interiors
A Hotel Designed for Connection
Rove was conceived as a place where hospitality, work, and leisure naturally intersect. The lobby is no longer just a point of arrival—it is a dynamic gathering space where guests can work, socialise, relax, or meet new people.
From informal lounges to work-friendly corners, every zone encourages interaction, creativity, and comfort. This philosophy extends throughout the hotel’s 330 guest rooms and shared spaces, supporting solo travellers, remote workers, Expo delegates, and groups alike.
Youthful, Flexible, and Distinctly Rove
The interiors reflect Rove’s youthful, accessible brand identity—light, playful, and welcoming, with a strong sense of place. A key challenge was creating a hotel that could evolve from an Expo-focused destination into a long-term city landmark.
Furniture, lighting, and finishes were selected for durability, adaptability, and timeless appeal, ensuring the hotel remains relevant well beyond the six-month global event. The result is a space that continues to feel fresh, flexible, and unmistakably Rove.
A Story of Culture, Community, and Context
The design draws inspiration from Expo’s core themes—mobility, sustainability, and opportunity—woven together through curated local artwork, layered textures, and lush greenery.
References to the UAE’s heritage, including Bedouin navigation traditions, sit alongside expressions of the nation’s future-facing ambition. The visitor journey itself became a guiding narrative, shaping a natural flow from arrival to destination. Subtle references to Al Maktoum Airport, the surrounding industrial district, and the desert dunes appear in finishes, patterns, and forms—creating a strong sense of place and belonging.
The Lobby: A Celebration of Place
The lobby is a visual tribute to the UAE’s history, culture, and achievements, infused with architectural cues from Expo 2020.
Warm sand and ochre tones echo the desert landscape, contrasted with deep navy and crisp white for balance and clarity. Terracotta and olive green introduce warmth and vitality, while layered textures and curated artwork invite guests to pause and engage. Carefully planned seating and lighting encourage connection, making the lobby both a central meeting point and a celebration of identity.
The Restaurant: Sustainability in Design
The restaurant reflects the region’s progressive approach to sustainable agriculture, including hydroponics, vertical gardens, and organic farming. Natural and responsibly sourced materials express the UAE’s vision for a chemical-free, future-ready environment.
Open shelving with greenery, natural wood finishes, and woven textures create a fresh, contemporary atmosphere. A calming palette of white, warm yellow, sage green, light olive, and natural wood brown reinforces the connection to nature. The space harmonises modern sustainability with historical architectural references—blending past and future in a single dining experience.
The Co-Working Hub: Where Ideas Take Shape
The co-working hub is a creative platform for collaboration and innovation. Combining the energy of a social space with the functionality of a workplace, it features warm wood textures, soft fabrics, and a rich palette of terracotta, muted rose, dusty blue, teal, and deep navy.
Flexible seating, layered lighting, and greenery create an environment that supports both productivity and wellbeing. Contemporary forms, paired with subtle architectural references, make the space inspiring, comfortable, and inclusive.
Beyond Interiors
In addition to the interior design, RSP also delivered full site supervision for fit-out works, engineering, landscape, lighting, and sustainability across both front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) areas. This holistic approach ensured seamless execution of the design vision and the delivery of a high-quality, enduring environment aligned with Expo 2020’s ambitions.