UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the concept behind thomas heatherwick‘s UK 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 x 7.5m long slim transparent acrylic rods which sway gently in response to any wind movement. during the day each of these rods act like fiber optic filaments, drawing on daylight in order to illuminate the interior. at night, light sources at the interior end of each rod allow the whole structure to glow from the outside. the pavilion is situated on a landscape which resembles paper which once wrapped the building, but now lies unfolded on the site. the surrounding space provides an open venue for public events and along with shelter for visitors.

UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the union jack is visible on the exterior
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
side view
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
detail of rods from the exterior
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
visitors walking through the seed pavilion
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
image © designboom

UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
image © designboom

UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
detail of seeds imprinted on the ends of rods
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the curvature of the rods
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the seed cathedral at night
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
image © designboom

UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the rods connected to electrical circuits
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the rods glowing at night
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the exterior at night
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UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
image © designboom

UK pavilion at shanghai world expo 2010
the view of shanghai city behind the pavilion
image © designboom