Introducing the first projects of the national pavilions for EXPO 2010

Shanghai, 28/8/2008

The freshness and innovation of architectural designs are, together with an attractive location of the pavilion, the best possible ways of being succesful at any World EXPO.

Towards the end of August, 177 states and 44 international organizations have confirmed they will participate in EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. 54 of them have signed participatory contracts. According to incomplete statistics, 13 exhibitors have already introduced projects and visual concepts of their national pavilions.

Australia

The wavy ochre façade of the Australian pavilion has three independent sections. In the first, called The Path, the visitor to this interactive exposition will obtain basic information about the society, cultural diversity and the country’s history, as well as its nature. The top of the pavilion hosts a multimedia show in an auditorium with 1,000 seat capacity. At the end, the visitor will have the opportunity to taste Australian cuisine as well as the country’s wines. The last part of the pavilion will host live performances. The Australian government has set aside 59 million dollars for the construction and operation of its national pavilion.

Canada

The design, as well as the contents of the Canadian pavilion will be in the signature of its famous Cirque de Soleil, the world’s best in new theatre. A kiosk shaped as a maple leaf is anchored in a public space, which will be taken over by the actors and acrobats from Cirque de Soleil. In the interior of the pavilion the Canadians want to focus on environmental protection. Part of the façade will be covered with living plants and the drainage system will capture rain water for other usage in the interior. The Canadian pavilion will be 6,000 m² and the Canadian overall budget for EXPO is not quite 44 million dollars.

France

A simple appearance and a fabulous budget - that should in brief describe the French pavilion. Competition for its design was vied for by some 49 creative teams; the best four spent long weeks in Shanghai, courtesy of the organizers. In the end, the jury selected a design by Jacques Ferrier, which placed a gigantic French garden inside a simple building. Surrounded by water, it appears as though it is floating. According to its official pages, the pavilion should be a shining example of energy savings as well as the latest technologies (using recycled materials and environmentally careful procedures). The structure measuring 8,000 square meters will swallow up 80 percent of the 50 million EUR (1,250 million CZK) set aside by the French government for EXPO 2010.

Germany

On an area of 6,000 square meters, the Germans will introduce a typical urban life and maybe also solutions to what urbanization leaves on the landscape. The focal point of the exposition will be a conical space, which can accommodate 750 visitors at a time. According to architect Lennart Wiechell, it will introduce the sensation of light and elegance. The other three changeable exposition halls will show projects for the revitalization of Hamburg harbour. The German government has set aside 30 million EUR for the EXPO 2010 presentation (roughly 750 million CZK).

Italy

The Italian pavilion is inspired by the traditional Chinese game Mikado. The players drop 20 - 30 sticks and pick them up without them touching any others. Designer Giampaolo Imbrighi has created a pavilion composed of 20 variably assembled modules. The shape of the pavilion may change during the World EXPO, just like the placement of the sticks.

Luxemburg

The Luxemburg pavilion, built of steel, wood and glass looks like a fortress drowned in greenery. In a space of 1,300 square meters, architect Francois Valentiny has designed a fifteen metre-high structure resembling a mediaeval fortress but with see-through external walls. All materials used are recyclable. With the help of satellite, visitors to the pavilion will be able to communicate with the people of Luxemburg and various cultural events will be beamed to Shanghai through the same means.

Nepal

Kathmandu - search of the city's soul, contemplation and meditation. This is the theme of the Nepalese pavilion.

The Netherlands

The Dutch have selected a unique concept. They will not build a single pavilion; they will build an entire street. "The Street of Happiness" will introduce life in the country and innovative technologies in seventeen tiny pavilions with links to traditional Dutch architecture. Inside the houses, the visitors will find artistic artefacts next to exhibits presenting, for example, the desalination of sea water or the use of wind energy.

New Zealand

The modern variant of a Maori tale about the creation of humanity will be told in the pavilion of New Zealand. The Coffey Projects Company, which is the author of the design, focused on looking at creating a balance between nature and the city. Even though the inhabitants of the Pacific island do not see themselves as urbanites, 86 percent of them live in cities. This is why the inter-linking of tradition, with strong ties to nature and modern innovation is the pivotal theme of the New Zealand presentation. The area covered is 2,000 square meters and costs 23 million dollars.

Poland

The Polish pavilion is a geometric structure, covered with samples cut from paper. Wojciech Kakowski's project won the competition from among 19 other competitors in a bid for the Polish pavilion. During the day, the interior will be filled with light, filtered through the paper "cut-outs" and at night the pavilion will light up in colours. The extended roof will create space for a patio restaurant and will give shade to visitors who are attending events in front of the pavilion. The exposition space will be divided into individual sections reserved for expositions, concerts or business.

Spain

"Science and technological innovations are reshaping urban communities," is the theme of the Spanish exposition. But the exterior of the national pavilion more or less reflects the traditional Spanish art métiers. "Spain has a long tradition in weaving wicker products and China too has this type of craft," emphasized designer Ms. Benedetta Tagliabue, justifying the idea of wrapping the steel construction in a wicker façade. Using variously coloured wicker from special water resistant materials, the artisans will weave various patterns; openings in the weave will assure the visitor of a comfortable stroll in the fresh air. For this pavilion of 8,000 square meters Spain has set aside 1.8 million EUR.

Switzerland

Switzerland, as the very first participating nation, had already introduced the design of its pavilion in September of last year. This is supposed to be a technological toy, which will represent Switzerland as a country striving for perfection, innovation and high standards of living. This intent will reflect itself in the a most sophisticated way on the walls of the pavilion made from soy fibre and which, two weeks after the exposition is demolished, will biodegrade. The energy for the pavilion will be supplied by solar panels. The floor will serve as a movie screen and visitors will find here traditional Swiss products and the main attraction of the exposition. This will be a cable car with capacity of 3,500 persons per hour, which will take the visitors to the top of a roof, planted with sunflowers and dandelions. The Swiss reckon with an exposition area of 4,000 square meters and a budget of not quite 19 million dollars.

Britain

The British pavilion is the work of Heatherwick Studios, the authors of the famous London Eye. They have proposed a unique light box, which will captivate especially after sunset. The façade is covered with thorns, freely floating in the air, without any visible means of support. The tips of the thorns have light diodes which will start a colour show. They offer an option to program a lot of various patterns, from abstract shapes all the way to a portrait of David Beckham. The appearance of the pavilion may therefore change each and every day. Inside the 6,000 square meter area, the visitors will see a giant digital screen presenting various topics.

Links