Architectural Design & Research Institute Of Tsinghua University Co.Ltd 清华大学建筑设计研究院

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015

CHINA PAVILION
- MILAN EXPO 2015

Tsinghua University
+ Studio Link-Arc

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

ARCHITECTS
Tsinghua University, Studio Link-Arc

PHOTOGRAPHS
Sergio Grazia, Zheheng Hong

CATEGORY
Pavillion

PROJECT YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Milano, Italy

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

Text description provided by architect.

Rejecting the typical notion of a cultural pavilion as an object in a plaza, the China Pavilion is instead conceived as a field of spaces.

Envisioned as a cloud hovering over a “land of hope”, the Pavilion is experienced as a series of public programs located beneath a floating roof, the unique design of which creates an iconic image for the project and a unique presence within the Expo grounds.

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

The theme for the China Pavilion is “The Land of Hope”. The project embodies this through its undulating roof form, derived by merging the profile of a city skyline on the building’s north side with the profile of a landscape on the south side, expressing the idea that “hope” can be realized when city and nature exist in harmony.

Conceived as a timber structure that references the “raised-beam” system found in traditional Chinese architecture, the Pavilion roof also uses modern technology to create long spans appropriate to the building’s public nature.

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

The roof is covered in shingled panels that reference traditional pottery roof construction, but are reinterpreted as large bamboo leaves that enhance the roof profile while shading the public spaces below.

Designed as layered screens, these panels add texture and depth to the Pavilion’s roof and create evocative light and transparency effects below.

Beneath the roof, the building’s ground plane is defined by a landscape of wheat (the “land of hope”) that references China’s agrarian past.

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

This natural landscape transitions seamlessly into an LED multimedia installation in the center that forms the centerpiece of the building’s exhibition program.

This natural landscape transitions seamlessly into an LED multimedia installation in the center that forms the centerpiece of the building’s exhibition program.

The Pavilion’s full exhibition and cultural offerings are experienced as a sequence of spaces, beginning with an exterior waiting area in the landscape, leading to a themed exhibition space with interactive installations and cultural offerings from different Chinese provinces.

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia

After this, visitors are guided up a gently sloped public stair to a panoramic viewing platform above the multimedia installation, after which they are guided into a multimedia space featuring a short film focusing on family reunions during China’s annual Spring Festival.

This sequence concludes with visitors stepping outside the building onto a platform above the bamboo roof that enjoys expansive views of the Expo grounds.

China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
© Sergio Grazia


China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Basement
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Ground Floor Plan
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
First Floor Plan
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Second Floor Plan


China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Diagram
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Diagram


China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Section
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Site Plan
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Exploded Axonometric


China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Model. Image © Zheheng Hong
China Pavilion – Milan Expo 2015
Model. Image © Zheheng Hong

Architectural Design & Research Institute Of Tsinghua University Co.Ltd 清华大学建筑设计研究院
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