first look inside the japan pavilion at expo milan 2015
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ahead of the opening of expo milano 2015, designboom visited the vast site to go behind the scenes of the japanese pavilion. responding to the overall theme of ‘feeding the planet, energy for life’, japan joins expo milano 2015 with the aim of proposing its food culture as an example of a healthy, sustainable and balanced diet. in addition, the country also sees the event as an opportunity to promote its image following the devastating 2011 earthquake, encouraging tourism and business opportunities. designed by architect atsushi kitagawara, the pavilion contains installations by high profile japanese creatives nendo and teamlab.
sake barrels are set up in front of the pavilion
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the pavilion fuses traditional culture with advanced technology, employing a compressive strain method in which joints consist only of carved wood, without metal couplers. the use of timber as a renewable resource also connects the scheme to issues of forest maintenance and protection. the three-dimensional wooden grid symbolizes the origin of japan’s seasonal variation – envisioned as a ‘bowl of diversity’.
signage marking the entrance to the temporary building
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under the theme of ‘harmonious diversity’, creative studio teamlab showcases two art exhibits within the pavilion. the interactive installations are spread across two rooms, comprising an immersive projection space that requires the visitor to wade through a technological expanse, to a digital waterfall of information, relaying descriptive knowledge about japanese food.
the design employs a compressive strain method in which joints consist only of carved wood
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as part of the pavilion, japanese studio nendo has designed a sloping dining table accompanied with a set of matching chairs. the 24 seats align themselves with the height of the table, which ascends gradually so that items placed on its surface do not move. the individual pieces of cutlery and tableware have also been designed by nendo.
the ramped entrance leads inside the pavilion’s upper level
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a shaded area at ground floor level
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the use of timber is continued throughout the scheme
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the pavilion’s upper level contains public dining facilities
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an immersive projection space by teamlab requires the visitor to wade through a technological expanse
image © designboom
a digital waterfall of information, also by teamlab, relays knowledge about japanese food
image © designboom
nendo has designed a sloping dining table accompanied with a set of 24 matching chairs
image © designboom
the furniture presents guests with a puzzling optical illusion
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japan’s food culture is shown as an example of a healthy, sustainable and balanced diet
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a miniature japanese food market
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brightly colored sake barrels are set up outside the entrance
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the pavilion’s distinctive timber façade
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EXPO MILAN 2015 (71)
Nov 28, 2017
Oct 18, 2015
Sep 23, 2015
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Aug 02, 2015PRODUCT LIBRARY
Mar 02, 2021
Mar 02, 2021
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Feb 28, 2021
Very good article. Thanks.
The project has been a good example of collaborative effort of multiple parties of which the great Atsushi Kitagawara was the architectural producer. The project was developed by Ishimoto Architectural & Engineering Firm, Ove Arup & partners Japan, Arup Italia, IParch, STAIN Engineering, with prof. Marco Imperadori as adviser for technological innovation.