Russian Ark at the EXPO 2015
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The concept for the Russian Pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan was developed by leading architectural bureau Speech, led by Sergei Choban. Taking in consideration Russia’s most successful world EXPO pavilions, of which the country has been producing since 1851, and the importance of “green technologies,” SPEECH has designed an expansive 4000-square-meter timber structure with a pronounced roofline that features a mirrored canopy extending 30-meters over the pavilion’s main entrance.
“The principal challenge in the development of the design was to create a remarkable building that resonates with contemporary architectural trends,” says Sergei Tchoban, the pavilion’s chief architect. “Our basic starting point was to combine a simple yet memorable architectural structure with a façade formed from sustainable, ecologically-sound materials. But an equally important task in our architectural development was to inject the essence of Russia into the design. Russia is a country of vast expanses, of endless vistas, of huge tracts of forest.
Therefore, as we have embodied ‘Russian-ness’ in our design by framing it an apparent infinite rhythm of wooden elements, there are obvious references to the typology of Russian landscape, with its rich forest cover and its gently sloping elevations, and to the traditions of wooden architecture of Russia, all coming together to create a modest, yet daring architectural statement.”
Clearly defined in the design is a voluminous hill, surrounded by organic wooden hoops, forming an elegant ‘nose’ like on a sailing boat. Inside, the pavilion is divided into a series of open spaces, completed by viewing platforms in the tradition of classical Italian gardens. In the upper part of the building are hanging gardens reminiscent of Babylon, whilst the building as a whole could be a metaphor for Noah’s Ark. There is also symbolism in the modernity of the building, which focuses attention on the notion of renewability of resources, exploited through the history of civilization.
Expo 2015 will be hosted by Milan, Italy, between 1 May and 31 October 2015. The theme chosen for the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. Expected that it will be attended by more than 140 countries, and the number of visitors will exceed 20 million.
RUSSIA EXPO 2015