The building
To decide who would make the construction plan and execute the Spain Pavilion at the Universal Exposition Shanghai 2010, the SEEI in 2007 organized an initial ideas public bidding at which presentations were made by 18 of Spain’s most internationally renowned architecture studios.
The Spain Pavilion features among the largest of participating countries along with those of France, England, Germany and Italy. It is situated in section C of the grounds on the bank of Huangpu River and it neighbors Switzerland, Serbia, Poland, Belgium and France.
The Spain Pavilion will offer the visitor a spectacular vision that combines the latest technology with the utilization – on a scale never before seen – of a traditional material, wicker, which completely covers its facade. Even before its creation it has been baptized the “Spanish basket” by the Chinese media, alluding to its organic shape, a 25,000 meter steel tubing skeleton that will support 8,524 large wicker panels. It is without doubt one of the most eagerly anticipated pavilions at Expo Shanghai.
In her proposal Tagliabue has attempted to stray from the traditional container concept, making way for large spaces in the way of wicker baskets that will allow easy and fluid passage. “The plaza is to the city what the patio is to the home, a place of rest, relaxation and partying”, says the architect.
Natural, sustainable materials will be used in the construction of the pavilion. The façade will have wicker as the main element of its revetment, experimenting with its full technical potential, as well as, according to Tagliabue, “the material as natural fiber, a handicraft of ‘global’ tradition used as much in the East as it is in the West, and so it becomes the main connection between Spain and China.
