Luxembourg - 卢森堡
Reflecting the Chinese name for Luxembourg, the elements of “forest - 森” and “fortress - 堡” were integrated into the pavilion’s design. Built from recycled steel, wood and glass, it will be an open medieval fortress surrounded with trees and other flora. From the outside, the walls will be translucent with Chinese characters printed on them. On the inside, visitors will be able to communicate with people in Luxembourg via satellite.

Denmark - 丹麦
The Danish pavilion is a huge loop in which visitors can ride around on one of the 1,500 bikes available at the entrance. At the center of the pavilion visitors can swim in a pool of fresh water imported from Copenhagen’s harbor. At the center of the pool will be The Little Mermaid, a statue that has become a symbol for Denmark. This will definitely be one of the Expo’s best pavilions.

Italy - 意大利
The Italian pavilion will be divided into irregular geometric blocks of different sizes and dimensions, all connected by steel bridge structures. Amazingly, the structure can be dismantled and reconstructed in another part of the city.
The difference in shape and size of the structural parts is supposed to symbolize “the tradition and regional customs which define the Italian identity.“ It will also have a ‘green’ feel to it, housing an internal garden, flowing water and natural light which spreads throughout the pavilion.

Britian - 英国
The Pavilion of Ideas, designed by Heatherwick Studio, with its thousands of spines looks more like an over-sized Koosh Ball than a structure of any kind. All the spines can swing in the breeze and are tipped with tiny light sources which can display various images.
Inside the pavilion, visitors will see a gigantic screen, presumably displaying cool British stuff. The materials will all be recyclable, carbon-neutral, and quite light, without a heavy concrete foundation.

Switzerland - 瑞士
Chosen from 104 candidates through a world-wide competition, the Swiss pavilion reflects the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, focusing on sustainable development as well as harmony and balance. The outer wall of the pavilion will be made of soybean-fiber and the roof will house a cable car ride.
The most distinguished feature of the pavilion is the outside curtain, which is made from degradable soybeans and dye-sensitized solar cells capable of generating electricity. And when the Expo comes to an end, the fiber of the curtain can biodegrade in just two weeks.

Links & Sources:

• Shanghai Expo
• Arch Daily
• Beligian Pavilion Picks Smurfs

British Iraqi deconstructivist architect Zaha Hadid has completed plans for the newest and strangest real estate development to hit Beijing since the Big Underwear, or 大裤衩, as it is colloquially known. Looking more like an alien breeding colony than the Beijing courtyards it was modeled after, Chaoyangmen SOHO will be the most centrally located SOHO and the biggest development on the 2nd ring road. And at a 5.5 billion RMB acquisition, it wont be the cheapest.

SOHO China founders Pan Shiyi (潘石屹), former Oil Ministry employee, and his wife Zhang Xin (张欣), former Goldman Sachs employee announced the project. Chaoyangmen SOHO is the sixth of its kind, but boasts one of the largest budgets and most innovative design. Indeed, Zaha Hadid is one of the most influential modern architects and ranks 69th on Forbes’ “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.”

Sharply contrasting the monolithic Soviet-style monuments to Communism, the Chaoyangmen SOHO ‘pods’ have no hard angles or edges and are supposed to resemble Old Beijing courtyards that are surrounded on each side and open in the center. The total construction area of the project is 334,000 square meters, of which 166,000 and 86,000 square meters are designated for offices and retail uses respectively. Chaoyangmen SOHO will become SOHO’s ninth project in Beijing. It joins Sanlitun SOHO, Guanghualu SOHO and Guanghualu SOHO II, which are all currently under construction.

This is not from an Asimov novel

Sources & Links

• Chaoyangmen SOHO
• Zara Hadid Architects