"Classics" of Culture and Economy

December 20, 2009

Austrian Pavilion : "Classics" of Culture and Economy

Alongside the entire path leading from the mountain into the city, the hiker is brought into contact with typical Austrian "classics" of culture and economy by means of an animated wall installation. The visitor gets to know Austria as the craddle of European trade, dominated for a long time by ore, salt and silver mining. Austria presents itself as a highly developed and modern small nation with innovative enterprises globally producing over-the-top performances. The visitor is presented, graphically and lively, the association of future-oriented developments in the field of automotives, aircraft, environmental technologies and research.

Arriving in the City Leaving nature behind, the visitor enters the city positioned behind a smooth curve. The rural area smoothly and immediately fades into the city. The urban population benefits from this harmonious interaction between urban and rural area: alpine drinking water from the Schneeberg, recreation in the Vienna Woods, sunbathing on the banks of the river Danube. As soon as the tourist finally reaches the centre of Vienna, he will not be surprised to find what he has expected to find on the basis of his image of Austria: familiar sounds - music from Mozart to Strauß - welcomes him, but at the same time he will be amazed by the unexpected, by simple ruptures.

State-of-the-art urbanity is signalled by means of sounds and images: traffic moves to the rhythm of the Waltz, building cranes dance to the music of Mozart, peasants stroll along to the tunes of Falco. These images are completed by the thematic integration of topics contributing to a "better city": environmental technologies, alternative energies, and mobility in urban areas.

At the same time this space serves as a platform for Austria: Austrian culture is represented and displayed on a stage integrated in this space. Anything is possible: the visitors may watch performances pertaining to the most diverse kinds of art and culture, from the typical folk dances to the avantgarde fashion show, from the classic concerts to international VJ nights! "Vienna is different", as already stated in the famous advertising slogan for Vienna.

Topics : Austrian Pavilion Expo 2010, World Expo Shangai 2010, the 7the Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expoaustria.at

Water in all its Forms and Shapes

Austrian Pavilion : Water in all its Forms and Shapes

The visitor wanders across woody hills along the path of the water which is acoustically and optically outlined: from the thundering glacier water fall down to the murmuring mountain rivulet, from the smooth river Inn via the slowly floating river Danube to the calm and relaxed waves of the Austrian lakes.

When the visitor of the pavilion crosses a riverbed, he will even encounter local fish and animals living in the last and only European jungle, the Donauauen.

Topics : Austria Pavilion Expo 2010, World Expo Shangai 2010, the 7th World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expoaustria.at

A Walk through the Woods

Austrian Pavilion : A Walk through the Woods

The wood space reflects the importance of the forest as a local recreation area as well as space for dynamic leisure activities for the city dwellers.

Here, the clear air and atmosphere of the woods may be really tasted: It smells like coniferous trees, leaves, berries, and mushrooms. The play of light and shade on the forest ground is boosted by means of acoustic elements like the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. When the visitor strolls through the forest, a curious virtual squirrel will sniff at his feet, and he will watch a shy deer fleeing the intruder when he approaches.

Topics : Austria Pavilion Expo 2010, World Expo Shangai 2010, the 7the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expoaustria.at

On Top of the highest Mountains with Snow and Ice

Austrian Pavilion : On Top of the highest Mountains with Snow and Ice

The visitor reaches the first stage across a mountain pass-like ascent: the mountain area with snow and ice covered surfaces.

The temperature is close to the freezing point, and you can feel the cold and touch real snow. The virtual change between day and night offers the visitor a starry sky or a fantastic view you may only come across in the mountains. Acoustic elements such as crunching snow, soughing wind or breaking ice amplify the experience of high mountains and glaciers in the same way as the noise caused by a skier, a snow crawler, or an avalanche thundering down the hill.

The tour then continues from the mountain area down in the direction of the city, with the visitor initially descending down to the timberline where he consequently strolls through the Austrian woods.

Topics : Austria Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, the 7th World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expoaustria.at

Architecture of Austrian Pavilion

Austria participates in the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai with a 2000m2 exhibition pavilion– designed by SPAN & Zeytinoglu Architects.

The contract for the design of the Austrian pavilion at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai was awarded within the framework of an award procedure on EU level and by unanimous jury decision. The winner project of the Viennese architecture offices SPAN & ZEYTINOGLU Architects is called "Austria – Feel the Harmony". The Austrian performance reflects the harmonious interaction of city, landscape, nature, urban habitats and urban cultural landscapes in a pavilion design that addresses all senses and that is innovative in regard to architecture as well as realisation. In this way, the Austrian performance definitely measures up to the sub-theme chosen by Austria, i.e. "Interaction between rural and urban areas".

Matias del Campo from SPAN & ZEYTINOGLU Architects on the opportunities offered, considered from an architectural point of view: "The competition for the Austrian Pavilion in Shanghai provided us with the opportunity to establish our ideas on elegance and form, synaesthetical experience, continuity and topological area in an international project, thereby creating a platform for the presentation of Austria. "

Chinese and Austrian Elements The winning project showcases itself by means of dynamic-abstract architecture; the porcelain surface elegantly alludes to the century-long tradition of chinaware being exported from China to Europe. In a rather symbolic way, Austria transports back to China with its pavilion an architecture object, seemingly porcelain. The colour design of red and white not only displays the colours of the Austrian ensign; with the colour red it furthermore integrates the traditional Chinese colour for luck and happiness.

Project Description "The driving force behind the concept of the Austrian Pavilion may be described as sound reflecting the harmonious continuity in the form of the architectural body and the smooth transition of the rooms created. The room is vaulted from the inside towards the outside, from the main room, the music room, towards the epiderm. In this way, there are created cases enwrapping the main room and accomodating further functions. Each of these cases forms in itself a point of programme being integrated in the overall structure and also displaying qualities that are created inbetween rural landscapes and urban structures. The central area makes it possible to alternately present different points of the programme, as the rich music heritage of Austria, covering the period from classical music up to the present, forms the basis of an audio-visual stimulation. Through the projection, it is possible to create visualisation alongside curved areas and, in this way, support the concept of the topological area and its smooth room transitions. " (SPAN)

Interactive and Multimedia Visualisation Another highlight of the pavilion design is the multimedia and interactive visualisation. The entire pavilion becomes a stage for Austria: typical Austrian imagery is projected on to walls, ceiling and floor. The visitors may get an idea of Austria in an emotional and playful sort of way and experience the country with all five senses.

Topics : Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, the 7th World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China, World Expo Shangai 2010, Architecture of Austria Pavilion. Source: expoaustria.at

Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2010

The Austrian pavilion is constructed on 2,000 qm on the Expo site. It is located in zone C, near the Lupu Bridge, in the immediate neighbourhood of participants from Romania, the Netherlands, and Croatia.

The design of the construction with its rather futuristic appearance was developed and elaborated by the architectural offices SPAN & Zeytinoglu Architects. The company Alpine Mayreder Construction Co. has been selected as general contractor for the erection of the two-storey-pavilion.

On the ground floor of the pavilion, there is situated the exhibition area (more than 500 m2) with a stage positioned in the main room to be used for various events. In all exhibition rooms there will be staged multimedia performances on ceiling as well as walls and floors.
Furthermore, the ground floor accomodates the Austria Shop as well as the information ounter of the Österreich Werbung (Austrian National Tourist Office).

On the upper floor of the pavilion, the Austrian restaurant with outdoor dining area invites the visitors to stay. The adjacent VIP Lounge will be open to Austrian enterprises, regions and organizations for receptions, events, and presentations.

Topics : Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, the 7the Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expoaustria.at

Construction starts on Austria Pavilion

Austria began construction of its pavilion on 02/05/2009

The structure, also about 2,000 square meters in size, will take visitors on a journey through snow-capped mountains, forests, flowing rivers and urban landscapes. It will display Austria's natural scenery and landmark buildings such as Vienna City Hall under the theme "Feel the Harmony."

The pavilion will take a porcelain outer skin in red and white colors, which represent the colors of the Austria national flag. The red color also takes on Chinese meaning of the color of good luck.

Topics : Austria Symbol at Expo 2010 Shanghai, World Expo Shangai 2010, Austria Pavilion at the 7th Exposition 2010 Shanghai China. Source: expo2010.cn