The visit to Shanghai World Expo 2010
Saudi Arabia Pavilion
A Remarkable experience at the Shanghai World Expo left me thinking…
“Will there ever be anymore surprises in my life where I will be able to witness another spectacular event as such?”
It was the gathering of the world culture. A 2 Way ticket to China to see the world!
Having started my experience at approximately 5pm, I couldn’t take my eyes off the magnificant architecture excellencies. Having walked 5 hours non-stop but still not able to cover half the map. Nonetheless, why was there such excitement and enthusiasm in me? and what is there to see?
Other than just buildings, country flags, technology, and people…
First of all I learnt that China is advancing so much faster than many other developing country. They are far more mature than other countries in term of their political, economical and environmental. In keeping with Expo 2010 Shanghai China’s theme, “Better City-Better Life,” they chose to power the visitor shuttles at this year’s world’s fair with fuel cell technology.
Photo Reference : http://www.permapure.com/news/expo-2010-vehicles-equipped-with-fuel-cell-humidifiers-from-perma-pure/
The gathering of architectures from around the world led to a design competition between countries to showcase their best architecture designs. Here are some photos,
Australia Pavilion
Australia Pavilion presents the fun journey on urban development solutions. The pavilion showcase its understanding of the theme “Better City, Better Life” by keeping a balance between urban construction and the natural environment.
The Pavilion takes visitors on a journey of Australia’s natural beauty and rich culture in an exploration of one of the most livable countries in the world. Australia’s innovative ideas on urban planning, renewable energy development, transport and infrastructure will be presented under the theme “Mastering the challenges: Australia’s smart solutions for our urban future.”
China Pavilion
Architect: Jingtang He
This pavilion practices a range of green design, including features such as a temperature buffer zone and natural ventilation for the interior, and the inverted shape of the pavilion acts as shading for entire building as well as the courtyard below. The roof of the structure includes eco-friendly landscaping and harvests rainwater.
Painted the same red as the Forbidden City, the Oriental Crown consists of four pillars with 6 floors expanding out and up. The 30 meter high roof is constructed from 56 wooden brackets, which represent the 56 minority ethnic groups of China.
Israel Pavilion
Under the slogan “Innovation for Better Life”, Israel highlights the traditional Jewish culture. This is the first time that Israel is building a national pavilion at a World Expo. The design of its pavilion resembles two clasped hands, symbolizing Israeli innovation and technology. The impressive design for the Israeli pavilion has been nicknamed the “Sea Shell” (in Chinese “Hai Bei Ke”) which goes along with the mascot of the Shanghai Expo, Haibao, and Shanghai as a coastal city. (Source : Israel Ministry of Foreign Affaris)
Japan Pavilion
Museum of Shanghai World Expo in Japan is among the country’s largest exhibition hall, one of Japan’s participation is also an unprecedented scale in the history of the Expo Hall. Hall is about 24 meters high, the external was silver white, with solar power devices using ultra-light “membrane structure” package, forming a large semi-circular dome, like a “Robotech.”This is a “breathing Pavilion”, “groove” and the “tentacles” allegorical life on the “mouth, ears, nostrils,” and “fingers.” Large semi-circular dome was purple, like a huge cocoon, hence the name “Purple silkworm island.”
South Korea Pavilion View 1
South Korea Pavilion View 2
Hall facade with three-dimensional pixel Korean and colorful decorative painting, with “communication and integration” as the element, showing South Korean style. Layer is reduced in proportion to Seoul, South Korea, through the images show “My City”; the second floor show “My Life”, with a high-tech interpretation of cultural, technological, human and natural; “My Dream” exhibition display technologies of the future and preview the 2012 Yeosu World Expo beautiful picture.
Expo Axis Structure
The Expo Axis is one of the world’s largest membrane roof, which spans the entrance and boulevard building of the World Exposition 2010 in Shanghai.
The combination of the membrane structure, which has a surface of 65,000 m2 in total with a span of 100 m, and the six steelglass funnels of 45 m height, formed of a freeform double-curved framework, constitutes the landmark of the Expo Shanghai 2010.(Source : Wikipedia)
Spain Pavilion
Architects: Miralles Tagliabue EMBT
The Spanish Pavilion created an amorphous form out of multiple panels, emphasizing a traditional Spanish craft in a new, modern way.
Croatia Pavilion
The Croatia Pavilion presenst its historical and cultural heritage, its dynamic contemporary urban life and its important potentialities for the future development.There are white flags on the facade of the pavilion, which is painted red, and these two colours give an impression of the red and white fields of the chequy, the symbol of the Republic of Croatia which is presented on its emblem.
Turkey Pavilion
The Turkey Pavilion under the theme “The Cradle of Civilization” looks like an amazing red and beige box with an animal sculpture, inviting visitors to explore a maze of dreams.The main inspiration for the exterior of the pavilion was derived from settlements called “Catalhoyuk”, the center of advanced culture in the Neolithic period.
Estonia Pavilion
Under the theme “Save City”, the pavilion features a colorful exterior which displays the unique ideas and great wisdom of Estonian people to protect their environment. Inside the pavilion, future, travel destinations, business opportunities and culture during the development of Estonian cities are showcased with “piggy banks,” “digital notebooks” and interactive touch screens.
Visitors are given a chance to propose their own solutions to improve the environment. They can submit their solutions via SMS text message or with a paper ballot that can be left in huge piggy banks in the Estonia Pavilion.
Finnish Pavilion
The Finnish pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010 is called “Kirnu” (“Giant’s Kettle”). It’s also supposed to be a microcosm of a Finnish city.
For more informations, look up Shanghai World Expo 2010 at http://en.expo2010.cn/
and there should be loads of photos on flickrs on this event too!!
