| At the Shanghai Expo, the distinctive architecture of the national pavilions is an exercise in global cultural diversity. Both eye-catching and unique, their layout and design concepts point to future architectural trends. The pavilions are a major draw for visitors to the six-month-long event.
The Shanghai Expo features 42 self-built pavilions and 11 joint pavilions. In the Expo Park, which covers an area of 3.4 square km, the Expo Axis, the China Pavilion, Theme Pavilions, the Expo Center and the Culture Center are the permanent structures, while other pavilions are to be dismantled after the Expo closes in October. Until then, spectators will be enjoying the creative efforts of countries on display.
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Japan Pavilion CHEN JIANLI |
The Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion is meant to look like a purple silkworm lying along the Huangpu River. The base color of the building's exterior is a reddish violet - a combination of red and blue symbolizing the natural elements of sun and water. The structure's shell morphs in tone over the course of day and night.
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Saudi Arabia Pavilion WANG SONG |
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion
Dubbed "the Arabian city," Saudi Arabia's pavilion is the Expo's second largest national pavilion and features an eye-catching centerpiece: a huge hanging boat shaped like a half moon. Date palms planted on the top deck of the boat create a hanging garden, the epitome of desert oases.
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Spain Pavilion WANG SONG |
The Spain Pavilion
The design for the Spain Pavilion is a hand-weaved wicker basket structure supported by a steel framework interior. "The Basket," as some have dubbed the pavilion, is dressed in 8,524 wicker panels colored brown, beige, and black.
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Poland Pavilion XINHUA |
The Poland Pavilion
Poland's pavilion, mixing traditional Polish folk paper-cutting art with modern elements, looks like a folded paper box.
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Finland Pavilion LIU DAWEI |
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