Expo 2015 – Azerbaijan Pavilion

Expo 2015 - Azerbaijan Pavilion

 

Creative ideation and project supervision: Symmetric
Creative director: Daniele Zambelli
Architectural project: Arassociati
Landscape Architects: AG&P
MEP and Structural Engineering: iDeas

Treasure of Biodiversity

    
Variety is the main feature of the spaces and forms of the pavilion. An especially evocative choice in representing the great bioclimatic and cultural variety of Azerbaijan through an architectural path that winds on various levels united and interpenetrated by three biospheres in which the visitor finds the specificities of the country within the general theme identified by Expo 2015 "Feed the planet". The first is the geographical biosphere of landscapes and the intersection of continental routes, the second is that of the nine climatic biodiversities of Azerbaijan, the third is that of traditional cultures and innovation promoted for the new generations. The building is developed, as well as on the ground floor designed as an entrance and open reception area for the organization of special events, on three levels connected by escalators in which, in continuity with the exposure of the biospheres, the illustration of the the country's natural, agricultural and productive resources. On the top level there is a restaurant with terrace. The pavilion is composed of modern and simple architectural forms created by drawing on traditional Azerbaijan materials such as wood and stone processed in an innovative way and combined with universal materials such as glass and metal. In addition to the spatial variety, light and transparency are the main elements with which the architecture of the pavilion plays, guaranteeing the exceptional nature due to represent the event and at the same time generating forms that also help the building's energy balance. In this sense, the skin of the pavilion, made with flexible wooden slats, wraps its sides differently, leaving only the freer north front thus determining a passive control of the microclimate that maximizes energy exchanges between the building and the exterior. The pavilion seeks in its distribution and in its forms the maximum flexibility of the spaces by virtue of the various set-up possibilities and in particular the ability to be adapted over time also functionally. In fact, once Expo 2015 is completed, the transfer of the pavilion to Baku is facilitated by almost totally dry dismantling and construction techniques (Arassocciati.it)