israeli pavilion at expo 2010

israeli pavilion nearing completion

here, is an update of the israeli pavilion at shanghai expo 2010 designed by architect haim z. dotan.

24 meters in height, the 1200 square meter pavilion is built on a 2000 square meter site and its construction is nearing completion. the structure consists of two architectural curvilinear forms which hug each other like two hands or two shells, symbolizing a quiet conversation between man and earth, man and man, nation and nation. the pavilion continuously transforms as the light changes during the day and night. the two hands / shells present the dialogue between man and nature, past and future, temporality and eternity, earth and sky, substance and the virtual. within the forms, are two architectural spaces, symbolizing the spirituality of the ancient jewish nation.

constructing the framework of the pavilion

constructing the framework of the pavilion

the ‘hugging’ forms under construction

the ‘hugging’ forms under construction

israeli pavilion nearing completion

israeli pavilion nearing completion

rendering of the pavilion rendering of the pavilionrendering of aerial view

computer sketches

rendering of frame compotion

preliminary sketches

aerial plan of building and usage

‘the hall of light’

when visitors first enter the main building of the pavilion, there will be multimedia showing the history of jewish evolution, with a 15 m high screen displaying films which highlight the country’s innovative and technological achievements. this is called the ‘hall of light’.

‘the hall of light’

‘the enlighten garden’

visitors enter the pavilion through ‘the enlighten garden’. about 50 orange trees will be planted within and will provide a space in which visitors can be in touch with nature and irrigation technology israelites take pride in.

‘the hall of innovation’ exhibition of audio-visual light balls

israel’s slogan for the expo is ‘innovation for better life’. inside the pavilion jewish culture and innovation will take the spotlight in the ‘hall of innovation’. this is the centrepiece of the pavilion where an exhibition of audio-visual light balls. here images of israelites appear on the screens, talking with visitors in chinese and hebrew. each of the light spheres represent technical breakthroughs in such fields as agriculture, pharmacology, solar / green energy, music, telecommunications…

‘the hall of innovation’ up close ‘the hall of innovation’