Cooper Green Design | The Blog

In 85 days, the 2010 World Expo opens in Shanghai, China. For the next 10 days, I’ll be featuring some of the more interesting pavilions under construction, and their green features.

First up: Switzerland’s “Rural-Urban Interaction” Pavilion

Rendering of the Swiss Pavilion

Facade with solar cells and LEDs

Vegetated Roof and Chair Lift

The 43,000 sf pavilion is designed by Buchner Bründler Architects and Element GmbH of Germany. According to the official Swiss Pavilion site it is a “hybrid construct of technology and nature that combines town and country in a perfect balance.” The Expo organizers have named it Nature’s Playground.

The façade is an aluminum mesh with attached solar cells that power flashing LEDs. Most of the façade components will be recycled at the close of the expo, and the solor cells will be reused or resold. The lights flash in a cause and effect relationship: LED’s light up for different amounts of time based on the amount of light or wind detected by sensors and the amount of stored energy. When one cell lights up, neighboring cells respond and light up as well.

The Pavilion is organized with two interior cylinders. One houses a pedestrian ramp that guides visitors through the exhibits. The second cylinder contains a chair lift that opens to the exterior and will bring visitors from the interior “urban” space and over the luscious vegetated “rural” roofscape.

The designers won an international competition for the pavilion. Some early reports described the façade as a biodegradable soy-based material. The material is now aluminum.

The 2010 World Expo runs from May 1 through October 2010, and is estimated to be the largest world exhibition yet.

CGD’s Score: +6

+3 Sustainability is evident in the design

+1 Materials can be recycled

-1 Onsite renewable energy powers façade, but not building energy use

+3 Exhibit theme shows natural environment, air quality, water quality, sustainable construction, and transportation