Dutch practice MVRDV’s sandwich-themed pavilion for the Netherlands is still propped with temporary supports, and The complex timber grid designed by Buro Happold with architect Shigeru Ban for the Japanese pavilion is only just taking shape. The only pavilion that looks like it will be ready on time is the “recycle bowl” – the Expo’s waste-sorting plant – being constructed for recycling specialist Dual System Deutschland with ETFE cladding on the walls and roof.
Based on the theme of regeneration, the Hanover Expo will feature permanent buildings. Taking them down at the end of the exhibition is not be sustainable, argue the organisers. So, alongside pavilions that will stay up after October are a number of other permanent structures, such as the granite-clad Expo offices, a grand new train station of marble and glass, and a bijou hi-tec tram station serving five new tramlines.
The pavilions are, as usual, quirky and innovative. Designs range from Fruto Vitas’ flower-themed structure for Venezuela, with giant orange and yellow petals providing the canopy, to Finland’s brutalist structure designed by Helsinki’s Arkkitehtitoimisto. The UK pavilion has been recycled from the last Expo – 1998’s Lisbon – except this time, the 2700 m2 Branson Coates-designed structure will not feature pop-up Union Jack umbrellas.
For further details, visit the Expo web site at www.expo2000.de
Europe’s biggest building site
Hanover Expo 2000 is the largest construction site in Europe. Contractors are racing to finish pavilions on the 1.6 million m2 site in time for the 1 June opening. The theme for the Expo, which runs until the end of October, is recycling and the environment, so permanent structures are being built as part of the Expo.
The new tube
A 200 m glass-clad tube links the Expo entrance to a new, specially built train station. The tube was designed by Hamburg’s Architekten Goessler, which also designed the station.
Welcome to Germany
German designer ArtLab Studios has designed its national pavilion. Featuring a self-supporting concave glass facade and curving roof, it will feature 16 exhibits including a Viking longboat and part of a cliff from Germany’s highest mountain. A series of lightweight bridges will link the exhibits.
Tram fair
The best architecture of Expo 2000 is arguably the tram station by local architect Bertram Bunemann Partner, which worked with Ray Hole and Gordon Wilson on the Brazilian Rainforest Pavilion. Built for just £4m, the station provides a simple and elegant counterpoint to the wacky pavilions. Work started in August 1998 and finished this February. Structural engineer is Pfeifer and Partner and client is Uestra Hannoversche Verkersbetriebe.
Now arriving at Expo…
The Expo train station, Hanover-Messes/Laatzen, was designed by competition-winning Hamburg practice Architekten Goessler. The roof, which resembles that of Kansai airport in Japan, is supported by the tree structures that seem to be obligatory for major transport projects. The station was built by Hochtief and Siemens at a cost of £11m for the station building – £21m including track.
The super bowl
The recycle bowl has been built for German recycling company Dual System Deutschland. Clad entirely in ETFE foil, the building will be used to sort waste from the Expo site for recycling.
