Dubbed the largest World Expo in history, this week saw the start of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, showcasing some of the best and weirdest creations in architecture.
Boasting 239 pavilions built by designers representing their nations from all over the globe, the Expo is a thrilling celebration of architecture.
For the next few weeks we here at Catalyst Exhibits’ Funk*tion design blog will be bringing you some of the most outstanding and, frankly, odd creations on show.
A Seed Cathedral anyone?
Combining both greatness and oddness, there’s no better place to start than with the UK’s ‘Seed Cathedral’ designed by Thomas Heatherwick Studio. The UK Pavilion, now nicknamed ‘The Dandelion’ by locals, is a ball created from 60,000, 7.5m acrylic rods, which extend outwards from the central exhibition space.
Heatherwick maintains that the inspiration for the pavilion came from the Harrison Ford movie Witness, and specifically scene at the start where a field of crops are blown in geometric patterns.
There are more than 60,000 different types of seeds inside the rods to represent London’s green reputation. The rods waft in a circular motion in the breeze and because they are transparent, the light in the exhibition space changes constantly throughout the day.
It is certainly a show-stopping structure that blends bleeding edge, yet fun, design with the functionality of the exhibition space within.
The Seed Cathedral will be in situ for 6 months and play host to different entertainment and events each day, ranging from music by the London Symphony Orchestra to performances from The National Youth Theatre. More shots below. Link.
Tags: architecture, design, exhibition
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