swiss pavilion by buchner bründler architects
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA

the swiss federal department of foreign affairs(FDFA) has sent designboom an exclusive
preview of the swiss pavilion for shanghai expo 2010 which we are happy to share with
our readers.

buchner bründler architects is responsible for the concept of the pavilion which is meant
to be a representation of a hybrid, interconnected urban area where nature and technology,
innovation and sustainability function and interact in symbiosis.

on the rooftop of the pavilion there is a chairlift, a representation of the rural parts of switzerland.
it provides views of the venue and funnels downwards into the structure itself. the pavilion's façade
is an enclosed semi-transparent curtain of woven metal netting suspended from a height of 20 m.
within this mesh-like exterior, 11 000 solar cells are attached in a random fashion. each cell is
independent of one another, but together create an electronic circuit board feeding an interactive
light-play on the façade of the structure which occurs when the solar cells, two double-layer
condensors(high-performance energy accumulators), a light emitting diode and sensors react to
light and activity in neighbouring cells.

the solar cells produce electricity which is stored in a condensor and used when the light emitting
diode flashes. regardless of intensity, light falling on one part of the façade increases the light sensor's
transmit impulse, causing the light-emitting diodes on that particular section of the façade to flash.
the cells then light up for a long or short period of time depending on the intensity of light they receive.
the intensity of the light emitted by the diodes also varies according to the energy stored and the
level of ambient light present. the same reaction occurs during the night. electro-magnetic impulses
influence the light behaviour of each cell, influencing neighbouring cells when they light,
resulting in a chain reaction across the exterior.

the front side of the pavilion represents the view of switzerland. a white outline of the country,
representing rural areas, can be made out behind the surface. the electronics and the circuits
are visible from the same side and symbolize the urban parts of the country.

when the expos is over, the façade will be recycled. each cell will be sold as a souvenir,
a kind of message which is meant to express the innovation and sustainability of switzerland.


detail


the façade is a knit metal curtain suspended at 20 m high
image courtesy of buchner bründler architects


general view of the pavilion which includes a rooftop chairlift
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


detail of the rooftop chairlift which spirals down into the pavilion


detail of the rooftop chairlift
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


internal view
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


detail of the façade from inside the pavilion


the chairlift funnels downwards into the structure itself
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


the chairlift funneling down inside the pavilion


image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


image courtesy of buchner bründler architects


the solar cells of the façade light up for a long or short period of time depending on the intensity of light they receive
image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


detail of the 11 000 solar sells which are randomly placed along the woven metal netting which makes up the façade


image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


image courtesy of the swiss FDFA


profile view
image courtesy of buchner bründler architects