Expo Centre

Designed as a temporary structure for the occasion of Expo Milano 2015, the Expo Centre is a large multi-purpose pavilion to host cultural and entertainment events. It is locates at the western end of the Expo area, starting from which is the long route of the Decumanus that runs through the entire exhibition space. Like Pavilion Zero, the building presents itself ideally as a fragment of the Earth’s crust, an effect reinforced by its full wooden covering, which makes the perception visually stronger compared to the surrounding context. A steel structure forms the skeleton of the architecture, while natural fir planking covers the whole building, conveying a sensitivity towards nature. Formally the Expo Centre uses an outline of contours to reproduce a landscape inspired by the Euganean Hills. Seven cones are placed in succession like hills and define the spatiality of the interiors, structured like natural caves: visitors are literally invited to enter the Earth’s crust to find...

Read more

Designed as a temporary structure for the occasion of Expo Milano 2015, the Expo Centre is a large multi-purpose pavilion to host cultural and entertainment events. It is locates at the western end of the Expo area, starting from which is the long route of the Decumanus that runs through the entire exhibition space. Like Pavilion Zero, the building presents itself ideally as a fragment of the Earth’s crust, an effect reinforced by its full wooden covering, which makes the perception visually stronger compared to the surrounding context. A steel structure forms the skeleton of the architecture, while natural fir planking covers the whole building, conveying a sensitivity towards nature. Formally the Expo Centre uses an outline of contours to reproduce a landscape inspired by the Euganean Hills. Seven cones are placed in succession like hills and define the spatiality of the interiors, structured like natural caves: visitors are literally invited to enter the Earth’s crust to find all the elements that bring food and energy to our world.
Two hills mark the entrance and define a space named “Open Plaza” to be used to host events and artistic activities of various types. The auditorium is recognisable from the outside because it is surmounted by the biggest hill. The large volume with an octagonal shape with a central stage has a capacity for up to 1,500 people between the balcony and the stalls, with stackable seating that enables the central space to be cleared completely if required. The remaining hills cover the meeting area, the foyers, the stores and technical areas.
The temporariness of the Pavilion has motivated the project and technological choices, rationalising the construction process through the production of prefabricated elements to contain and control costs.

Read less

Area

Architecture

Year

2013-2015

Location

Rho, Italia

Field

Newbuilds

Size

7560 Square meters

Client

Expo 2015 S.p.A.

Phase

Completed

  • Humanistic Architecture and Design
  • Humanistic Architecture and Design
  • Humanistic Architecture and Design
  • Humanistic Architecture and Design
  • Humanistic Architecture and Design

Recent projects

Our projects bring together expertise in architecture, design, graphics and art
to create fluid and welcoming environments.