Latvia pavilion Expo 2010 Shanghai
Latvia is participating in Shanghai Expo 2010 under the sub-theme Innovation city of science and technology.
The philosophy and message imparted through the Latvian pavilion is The road to happiness leads through harmony between nature and technology. Throughout the six-month duration of the exhibition, Latvia presents its cultural achievements, its measures to protect the environment, its technological advancements and its successful business stories to the world at large.
The facade of the Latvian pavilion is composed of 100 000 colourful, transparent, 15×15 cm plastic plates, which sparkle and sway in the wind, generating a dynamic, kinetic effect. The facade symbolizes nature and its various facets – the forests, the sea, the land, the sky, the wind.
The entry stairway of the pavilion leads upward in a spiral, symbolizing the continued, progressive development of humanity. At the top of the stairway, on the third floor of the exhibition hall, visitors will behold a glass wind tunnel, filled with flying people!
The wind tunnel is the centrepiece of the Latvian pavilion exhibition. Through the latest technological advances, people can now fly in both a figurative and literal sense. Flight embodies the harmony, happiness and creative energy that people have always pursued.
The Latvian pavilion is located in Shanghai Expo Park Zone C, it's next to the pavilions of Estonia, Denmark, Greece and Belgium. It stands out prominently and is easy to spot from the main, pedestrian walkway. The total area of the pavilion’s exhibits amounts to 920 m², with additional space taken up by the AERODIUM wind tunnel.
Each of the pavilion’s guests can get the chance to win a free flight in the vertical wind tunnel. By participating in an interactive quiz using touch-screens, visitors can learn interesting facts about Latvia. Those, who succeed in winning a free flight will be led to the second floor, where they will be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. Then, together with a competent instructor, they will experience an unforgettable flight like no other. Each flight is filmed for posterity, and the recordings, with Latvia’s name on them, then makes their way all across the world.
Apart from the wind tunnel, films and other audiovisual materials on Latvia and related themes are shown on exposition screens within the pavilion.
The first floor of the pavilion is housing a souvenir shop and a cafe.
Three wind turbines are located on the roof of the pavilion. During the evening hours, they are projecting a professional team of flying acrobats into the night sky, high above the EXPO grounds.
Latvian Pavilion concept and architectural design: architect Austris Mailītis and artist Ivars Mailītis – architecture and design concept group Mailītis A.I.I.M. LTD, www.mailitis.lv
Architectural design team: Austris Mailītis, Ivars Mailītis, Liene Griezīte, Ints Menģelis, Jānis Ielejs, Mārtiņš Rusiņš, Matīss Mailītis, Inese Mailīte, Dina Sotņikova, Kārlis Saltups, Valters
Murāns, Ilze Supe, Kārlis Lauders, Kristaps Šulcs
Latvian pavilion concept and wind tunnel technology: Ingus Augstkalns, Ivars Beitāns, Ansis Egle, Didzis Piļāns – SIA AERODIUM
Building structure design: Gatis Počs, Mārtiņš Studers, Edgars Rutkovskis – SIA Idejas un risinājumi
Project implementation in China: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University
/We will add videos little later/
In www.archdaily.com
Latvia Expo homepage
Latvia Expo blog
Latvia Expo in Flickr