Austrian Pavilion, Shanghai, China

Winning design reveals correlation between architecture and music
The award winning design by SPAN & Zeytinoglu for the Austrian Pavilion at the EXPO Shanghai 2010 and the decision of the competition jury have been presented to the public for the first time today.

"The main driving force behind the design of the Austrian Pavilion for the EXPO in Shanghai 2010 can be described as acoustic forces, or more accurately as music," says a statement from SPAN.

"Music is a concept that reflects continuity in terms of architectural articulation that seamlessly connects the various spaces within the program. The embodiment of the sonic conditions within the space manifests the architecture of the pavilion, which resonates to the rhythm of the Video Jockey's (VJs) performance – the conductor of the atmospheres within the main space. The rich history of Austrian musical tradition makes it possible to create a performance program reaching from Baroque Music, to the classic area, to the modern age, to contemporary acts.

"The space unfurls from within the topological body, from the main space, the audience chamber, to the exterior epidermis. This process creates pockets, pochés, that include the rest of the program, such as Shop, Restaurant, Office, VIP Area and so forth. Each of these programmatic areas includes qualities connoted with the quality of living within Austrian conurbations: Music, culture, culinary expertise, urban scapes, opulent landscapes and lavish foliages."

The competition for the Austrian pavilion was judged by a prestigious jury including Prof. Will Alsop, (SMC Alsop), Dietmar Steiner – Director Architecture Center Vienna (AZ W) Bettina Götz – architect, (Artec) and Christian Knechtl – architect, (Knechtl Studio)

The competition was organized by EXPO Office Austria.
source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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