Luxembourg’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, designed by local architecture firm Metaform, has received high praise from listings magazine . In a preview of the event, which opens on Friday 1 October after a delay of a year, journalist Tarak Malhotra selects nine pavilions from the 192 countries taking part that he says are “truly unmissable”.

He describes the Metaform pavilion as “easily one of Expo’s most visually appealing…” and is fascinated by its Möbius ribbon form.

“And get this: within the exhibit, if you aren’t in the mood to go down a flight of stairs, you take a slide that sends you straight to the pavilion’s ground floor. In fact, it’s the only pavilion offering this brilliant alternative to merely walking down the stairs, and we love the innovation.”

Other nation pavilions to make the list include Belgium with its “lush Green Arch exterior that champions biomimicry”, Jamaica’s shipping containers design and “spontaneous street party-style pavilion”, and South Korea’s multicoloured tent like structure where “visitors can experience so-called wonder walks” and “developments in science and technology through augmented reality.”