EXPO 2010-Sweden Pavilion

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Project Name: EXPO 2010-Sweden Pavilion
Construction year: 2010
Website: www.swedenexpo.cn
Address: Expo Site , EXPO 2010-SHANGHAI - China

Architect(s) : SWECO (www.swecogroup.com)
Project Category: Cultural | Pavilions

Latitude: 31.1844
Longitude: 121.476

Swedish Pavilion

A sustainable society demands creative solutions that allow cities, nature and people to grow in harmony with each other. The Swedish pavilion's design is inspired by this three-way relationship. The outer façade represents the city — it is made of perforated metal in a pattern that resembles a map of downtown Stockholm. The inner façade is decorated with scenes from Sweden’s nature. Our pavilion symbolizes how by balancing nature and city, the urban and the rural, people can lead a better life.

The design of the pavilion was decided through a public competition. The winning design was submitted by one of Sweden's most renowned architecture firms — Sweco Architects. The pavilion is a 3,000 square-meter steel and wood structure made up of four cube-like parts that are arranged to form a cross-like space between them — a shape much like Sweden's flag when seen from above. These cubes are connected by elevated walkways and contain the exhibition, conference rooms, a shop, a café, and a large outdoor atrium — room enough for everyone.

Our pavilion embodies many of the sustainable practices that are on show in the exhibition. Here are some of the features that make it a model for environmentally friendly construction:

- The outdoor atrium is constructed entirely from environmentally certified wood. The large wooden beams are made up of timber from young trees that are glue-laminated together. This way, no old-growth forests need to be harvested.
- On the façade, the metal plating is coated with a special heat-reflective light-coloured paint. This makes the interior cooler.
- The entire structure can be moved and reused. The outer walls are made of reusable prefabricated modules.
- The surrounding ground is covered with light-coloured recycled composite stone tiles made with stone from China. These tiles reflect heat and can be reused. Beneath them, loose gravel hides storm water drains, cables, wiring and fixtures.
- Both indoors and outdoors, the pavilion uses high quality low-energy lighting. The lighting is also need-regulated to minimise energy consumption.
- The pavilion uses the latest technologies for cooling, ventilation and dehumidification systems, all of which are need-regulated.
- The yellow-painted roof reflects heat.
- All the technology operations (kitchens, toilets, elevators, water) are grouped in one part of the building, minimizing resource use.
- The reflecting pools beside the pavilion are equipped with an advanced system for water purification that breaks down organic pollution without using chemicals.
- The timber floor in the conference center is assembled with a durable and environmentally friendly glue.

Sustainable urban development is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Finding resource-efficient and clever solutions is a goal that unites many Swedish companies and organizations, and many of them are on display in our pavilion.
(text from project's website)

Contributed by ArchiTeam