Shanghai Expo Pavilion by EMBT

The Italian architect Benedetta Tagliabue, responsible for EMBT, is leading the project of the Spanish pavilion for the next Expo, to be held in Shanghai in the summer of 2010. The building, which will open next May, was inspired artisans, wicker baskets, traditional product shared by Spanish and Chinese cultures.
The pavilion is designed as a tubular steel frame covered with a wicker skin colors and different textures, in an effort to bring together the two key concepts that are anticipated in the future of architecture, technology and sustainability. The special texture of wicker, woven in the traditional way by Spanish artisans, get filtering the light and create an open but protected from the weather and other weather. Furthermore, if the flag can withstand bad weather and storms of the summer season china, all the willow shall be covered with a material that will protect it from rain.
The 8,500 m2 Total floor will have two spaces open for cultural events and an indoor area for the exhibition, cafes and other services. The project was awarded to study EMBT in 2007 as winner of the public, and the total cost is budgeted at 1.8 million euros. Before its opening, the building has already been awarded the Premi Ciutat de Barcelona, awarded by the council of this city for its contribution to the international projection of the same.