Israel's Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo

Rendering of the Whispering Garden

Israel’s Pavilion is the feature of part 2 of my series on green design at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

This is Israel’s first pavilion in a World Expo. The theme is “Innovation for Better Life,” and the design by Haim Dotan brings natural features and technology in harmony with one another. I find the form quite elegant, with the glass (Hall of Light) and stone (Hall of Innovations) volumes in a twisting embrace: a nod to the Taoist Yin and Yang. Architect Haim Dotan is the designer of the AORA solar flower,  a 30m tower ringed by mirrors, which generates 100kW of power at Kibbutz Samar. Here again, he is a master of efficient use of materials.

In the Hall of Innovations, hundreds of “light-sphere” stations will demonstrate Israel’s technological innovations in solar & green energy, science, music, agriculture, medicine, and security. Visitors can have a virtual conversation with Israelis.

What appears most intriguing is the Whispering Garden, with over 50 orange trees and a meandering covered pedestrian path. The garden will showcase Israel’s irrigation technology, which is one of the most advanced applications of drip irrigation in the world.

The construction and activity budget is $6 million.

For more info:

• Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Haim Dotan Architects Israel Pavilion Site

CGD’s Score: +4

+3 Sustainability is evident in the design

-1 Many materials are not recyclable

-1 No onsite renewable energy

+3 Exhibit them focuses on efficient irrigation and science & technology

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