Sweden Pavilion for Shanghai World Expo 2010
As the key words “Sustainability, Innovation and Communication” cornerstones, the Swedish Pavilion, designed by SWECO, showcases how the nation’s spirit of innovation solves problems, improves the urban environment and living standards, and demonstrates the importance of communication under the new technology situation.
The pavilion comprises four cube-like structures that are arranged to form a cross-like space between them — a shape much like Sweden’s flag when seen from above.The outside walls show a city-like grid; the inside walls are covered with images of nature. These cubes are connected by elevated walkways, and house the exhibition,VIP areas, a shop, a café, and a large covered courtyard — room enough for everyone.
More images and description after the break.
Adhering to the concept of sustainability, the design of the pavilion emphasizes the concept of recycling and reuse. The four sections of the pavilion are connected at an intersection, which symbolizes the harmonious interaction between city and countryside. Through this crossroad, visitors are able to reach every section of the pavilion with ease and comfort.
Creativity and innovation are displayed everywhere in the Swedish Pavilion, inviting people to interact and think deeply. Visitors can experience Swedish culture, society, engineering and traditions, which demonstrate Swedish people’s passion for nature and spirit of innovation.
This three-storey complex composed of four connected blocks contains an exhibition area of about 1500 square meters, and a number of cafes and boutiques. The third floor includes the VIP section and restaurants. Visitors can savor Swedish coffee while enjoying Swedish movies and music. Souvenirs from Sweden will also be available.
Somewhere in the 90s swedish design got all screwed up, or at least the architecture scene is today eceptionally poor compared to it’s siblings denmark and norway. This pavillion illustrates it perfectly :
The building is shaped like the swedish flag. Why is this important? What does it provide to the visitors in the building ? Tell me what a visitor that comes to see the pavilion thinks due to this exact shape. Other things are the language used to tell about the pavillion : “Creativity and innovation are displayed everywhere in the Swedish Pavilion, inviting people to interact and think deeply.”. What or who will they interact with ? What does it mean to think deeply ?
Of course, since this is an architecture blog, I would also like to critizise the project for not beeing about architecture, but about graphics and surface. Even the construction seems to have it’s rationale taken from the idea of the city grid. The swedes seem to be more about surface, than they are about basic architectural elements.
Pherhaps this architecture says more about sweden than about swedish architecture. Sweden has always been good at clothing and graphics, and it has in this pavillion totally overtaken what is supposed to be architecture.It seems to be most about surface.
This pavillion is a manifestation of sweden as a architectural backwater.
ergo its a PERFECT Pavilion to represent sweden.
Sweden Pavilion for Shanghai World Expo 2010. http://bit.ly/c9bshf
Interesting information about the Swedish pavilion. You can also find some useful resources on the website http://www.2010shanghai.eu which gives some info and news about EU pavilions, best practices… with a European approach to the World Expo.
liked this very much
the facade looks as if it has been slashed, sliced, chopped into fragments, while creating visual extraordinarie…
well done
Hot mess. Seriously out of date. Strong candidate to worst pavillion 2010.
I can’t agree more with the first post from Mr Cheap.
And i’m quite sure the other comments are Sweco’s employees.
10:40 PM Mar 12th
Sweden Pavilion for Shanghai World Expo 2010 | ArchDaily http://t.co/f1ZCapA via @archdaily