belgian pavillion by conix architects and JV realys
image courtesy conix architects

conix architects in collaboration with JV realys have won the competition to design
the belgian pavillion for shanghai expo 2010.

the structure of a brain cell is the dominant conceptual image for the pavilion. it aims to
evokes the artistic and scientific richness of belgium and the country's central position
within europe. the brain cell also refers directly to the role of belgium as one of europe’s
main gathering centres and cross-points of 3 great cultural traditions: the latin, the germanic
and the anglo-saxon. belgium, closely connected to its surrounding countries, has always
been a 'place of balance' where people have gathered with common interests that surpass
their national needs.


belgian pavillion based around a brain cell
image courtesy conix architects

in contrast to the playful, organic and intriguing form of the brain cell, the exterior
of the building refers to the pragmatism and the discretion typical of belgium.
a big roof structure offers a communal shelter, functioning as a flexible, pleasant
and convivial public space, fully open to the outside world.

the changing lights and colours of the brain cell will naturally be integrated in shanghai,
'city of lights'. the multitude of visual effects in the pavilion echoes the european clair
obscur movement and the chinese shadow theatre which will be visible from the main
public spaces in front of the pavilion.


belgian pavillion
image courtesy conix architects

the pavilion, which will be accessible to the public in may 2010, will be composed
of a structure which is easy to build, to disassemble and to recycle. to adapt the building
to shanghai’s warm and moist climate, the exterior is built up of three mainly closed
façades, composed of stretched metal plates. the pavilion does not only accommodate
the exposition halls of europe, belgium and its communities and regions, but also
offers convivial meeting places including a restaurant, a bar and a vip-centre.



interior of belgian pavillion
image courtesy conix architects


interior of belgian pavillion
image courtesy conix architects


interior of belgian pavillion
image courtesy conix architects


credits:
competition - design, realisation,
maintenance and disassembling of the
belgian pavilion for the universal exposition 2010 in shanghai
client :belgian commissioner-general
expo 2010 - buildings agency
design date: 2008
start construction: 2009
delivery date: 2010
site: shanghai (china)
surface: 5 250 m2
team: jv realys (aos china) - interbuild
i.c.w. conix architects, jan hoet jr. (scenographer), jnc international
(landscape architect), 3e (energy con- sultant) and cji (local contractor)
conix team christine conix, fabien dautrebande,
pedro miguel monteiro de sousa,
david rato, jan jespers, steven simons