Shanghai 2010
> location : Shanghai, China
> client : SEEI
> architect : Miralles Tagliabue (Miralles Tagliabue EMBT)
> collaborators : Salvador Gilabert , Arch. Elena Rocchi, Arch.
> date : 2007> in progress
> area : 8,500m2
> materials : metallic tubular supports holding a wicker mesh
> China sets the bar. Just a few short months after the opening of the International Exhibition in Zaragoza and Shanghai 2010 already looms large on the expo-horizon. The Chinese, obviously needing to make bold
inroads into the conscience of a modern, green-tech planet, understandably aim to impress.
With a clear objective to be the greatest (both ecologically and technologically) the Chinese set stringent construction targets for international applicants. In an intense wrangling for the top spot
in Spain, EMBT came through with an intelligent conception that won them the exclusive national prize, and so the Spanish Pavilion project was realised. Climatic weave.
Extremely unusual in assembly, EMBT’s Spanish Pavilion edges toward handicraft rather than more conventional construction methods.
The warped tubular steel frame of the building is designed to sustain an extraordinary wickerweave covering, an originality that obviously gave MT the edge in the competition and secured them a solid investment of over
1.8 million euros from the Spanish Government. The Spanish handcrafters (it’s hard not to
imagine weaving grannies on a giant scaffold) will wicker-weave complicated patterns to the construction using an array of different coloured weaves; this will in turn be protected by a special waterproof covering, transparent, allowing sunshine and blue skies to pierce through the apertures of the complex mesh.
This climatic membrane will wrap the pavilion and afford visitors a refreshing outdoor promenade feel, allowing them to relax and concentrate on the all-important Spanish cultural displays on show.
The weaved structure is dual purpose, obviously a design like this in any other solid material and on such a grand scale would be daunting to the observer, but the piercing daylight surreptitiously deconstructs,
bringing the outdoors in - and visa versa. The other purpose has a more social intention, and according
to Benedetta Tagliabue, Spain has a long history in making wicker-weave products, as does China, and this is where she envisages the two nations finding some comfortable common ground. In addition, this monster
basket-weaving commission is extremely hardy, and once complete will withstand whatever forces the tough Chinese climate has to throw at it; it just so happens that the Expo opens in Typhoon season. >
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