uk pavilion at shanghai expo 2010

british pavilion sits on a landscape which resembles an unfolded piece of paper

the concept behind thomas heatherwick‘s british pavilion at shanghai expo 2010, is an enclosure that throws outwards from all sides, a mass of long radiating cilia.

the centerpiece of the pavilion is the seed cathedral, a six storey high cube-like structure, pierced by approximately 60 000 7.5m long slim transparent acrylic rods which sway gently in response to any wind movement. during the day each of these rods will act like fibre optic filaments, drawing on daylight in order to illuminate the interior. at night, light sources at the interior end of each rod will allow the whole structure to glow from the outside.

the pavilion will be situated on a landscape which resembles paper which once wrapped the building, but now lies unfolded on the site. the surrounding space will provide an open venue for public events and along with shelter for visitors.

approximately 60 000 7.5 m long acrylic rods create the effect of fibre optics on the building’s exterior

interior view