israeli pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010

israeli pavilion shanghai, china image © designboom

the israeli pavilion designed by haim dotan architects is composed of two streamlined buildings hugging each other. the pavilion looks like two clasped hands, or a ‘seashell’. one side of the seashell is made of authentic stone while the other is made from transparent glass. the design symbolizes israeli’s innovation in technology as well as represents the dialogue between humanity and nature, the earth and the sky, and the past and the future.

detail of ‘seashell’ image © designboom

the structure is composed of three major areas consisting of the ‘whispering garden’, ‘hall of light’ and ‘hall of innovation’. in the ‘hall of light’ situated close to the entrance of the building, the area houses a multimedia presentation showcasing the history of the jewish evolution on a 15 meter high screen.

detail of ‘seashell’ image © designboom

surrounding the main body of the pavilion, the ‘whispering garden’ features 50 planted orange trees, symbolic of the israeli culture. visitors are able to walk around this green orchard and become familiar with the israeli advancements in irrigation technologies.

image © designboom

detail of ‘seashell’ image © designboom

an artist’s rendering of the israeli pavilion at world expo 2010 shanghai, china.

image © designboom

the ‘hall of innovation’ features hundreds of small screens that enable visitors to converse with israeli children, scientists, inventors and doctors about their vision for a better future. each of the light spheres represent technical breakthroughs in such fields as agriculture, pharmacology, solar / green energy, music, telecommunications.

for more information on designboom’s coverage on the development of the israeli pavilion, see here.