china pavilion at expo milan contained beneath a series of layered screens

china pavilion at expo milan contained beneath a series of layered screens
photography by sergio grazia

based on the theme ‘the land of hope’, the china pavilion at expo 2015 has been conceived as a continual field that starts at the entrance to the plot and continues inside the pavilion. designed by tsinghua university in collaboration with new york-based design firm link-arc, the pavilion responds to the event’s overall theme of ‘feeding the planet, energy for life’ with a number of installations that represent the vernacular cuisine of different parts of china.

the pavilion’s references the raised-beam system found in traditional chinese architecture

the building’s distinctive form is derived by merging the skyline of the city on the north side with the shape of the landscape on its southern elevation. in this way, the design harmoniously brings together two traditionally opposing elements. the pavilion’s roof uses a timber frame that references the raised-beam system found in traditional chinese architecture, adapting it with modern construction technology. clad in shingled panels, the roofscape employs bamboo components that reduce the overall weight and create a comfortable shaded area below.

clad in shingled panels, the roofscape employs bamboo components that reduce the overall weight

the exhibition and cultural programs are experienced as a journey through the pavilion, beginning with an exterior waiting area and leading to the themed area with interactive installations from 40 chinese provinces. from here, visitors are guided up a gently sloping public staircase to a viewing platform above a glittering LED matrix that forms the centerpiece of the exhibition.

a comfortable shaded area is found below the roofscape
image © designboom

a large multimedia theater room is found at the upper level, contained beneath the highest point of the undulating roof canopy. the sequence concludes with an open balcony, which hovers above the bamboo roof offering an expansive vista of the surrounding expo grounds.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the china pavilion here, and for our ongoing coverage of expo milan 2015 see here.

detail of the waterproof cladding
image © designboom

a matrix of LED stalks form the centerpiece of the exhibition

a gently sloping public stairway leads to a viewing platform above the LED matrix

the stalks are capable of presenting a range of patterns and images

a large multimedia theater room is found at the upper level

the form is derived by merging the skyline of the city on the north side

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project info:

name: china pavilion for expo milano 2015
award: first prize
client: china council for the promotion of international trade
organizer: expo milano 2015

architecture
architect: tsinghua university + studio link-arc
chief architect: yichen lu (tsinghua university + studio link-arc)
project manager: kenneth namkung, qinwen cai (studio link-arc)
project team: alban denic, shuning fan, mario bastianelli, ching-tsung huang, hyunjoo lee, dongyul kim, ivi diamantopoulou, wei huang, zachary grzybowski, elvira hoxha, aymar mariño-maza, zoe zhou (studio link-arc)
architect and engineer of record: F&M ingegneria
structural engineer: simpson gumpertz & heger + F&M ingegneria
enclosure engineer: elite facade consultants + ATLV
MEP engineer: F&M ingegneria + beijing qingshang environmental art & architectural design
general contractor: china arts construction and decoration company + unique europe + bodino engineering
model photography: zheheng hong

exhibition, landscape, & interior design
project director: dan su, (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
design director: yue zhang, yi du (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
exhibition design: yanyang zhou, danqing shi (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
landscape design: xiaosheng cui (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
interior design: jiansong wang (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
lighting design: yi du, xiaoxi liu (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)
visual identity design: xin gu (academy of arts and design, tsinghua university)