I think World Expos are rather fascinating - a great big gathering of nations all showing their countries to the world. It's a great big geography funfair! It's Eurovision for architects! (thanks Mr Clapham Omnibus) Ergo, it must be amazing.
Later this year, the 2010 World Expo is being held in Shanghai - with some amazing pavilions being built to showcase individual nation's landscapes and cultural outputs. Here are some of my favourites.
The Russian pavilion has 12 towers with white, red and gold designs inspired by traditional Russian womens' costumes. How very babushka.
The Israeli pavilion has two forms clasping on to each other - one modern, futuristic, constructed and one traditional, vintage, natural.
The Swiss pavilion is a technological masterpiece with an interactive LED facade and electronic outline of the country's pictogram. But my favourite part is the chair lift on the rooftop.
The British pavilion is a striking piece of sculpture by artist Thomas Heatherwick. It's very striking and dramatic.
The Finnish pavilion looks modern, sleek and very Finnish minimalist cool. It's named kirnu - a giant's kettle - and its surface will resemble fish scales.
The pavilion for the United Arab Emirates is shaped like a sand dune.
The Polish pavilion has a designed inspired by Wycinanki, the Polish traditional folk art paper cut-outs.
To see just one of these buildings would be amazing, so all of them plus many more all on one site must truly a marvel to behold.
(All images come from designboom - click on them to see full postings of the pavilions)
To see just one of these buildings would be amazing, so all of them plus many more all on one site must truly a marvel to behold.
(All images come from designboom - click on them to see full postings of the pavilions)
