City life is determined by the city's relationship with the nature in and around the city. It is through this approach to city and nature that Norway will address the EXPO theme 'Better City, Better Life'
Nature is experienced as source of inspiration, recreation and pure physical energy. This is what we mean when we say 'Norway. Powered by Nature' and this is what we want to share with the visitors who come the Norwegian pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.
In Shanghai 2010, urban life and urban challenges will for the first time be the main theme of a World Exposition. In Norway, the cities are few and small but every Norwegian city has one quality in common. Be it the sea, the mountain or the forest, Norwegian cities all exist in a close relationship with nature. At EXPO 2010, we will address the theme ‘Better City, Better Life’ by exploring the city’s and the city dweller’s contact with nature. Nature is experienced as a source for recreation and inspiration as well as pure physical energy. This is what we mean when we say "Norway. Powered by Nature."
The very first world EXPO was in Hyde Park in London in 1851 and showed the British Empire at the height of its economic and political strength. The Shanghai EXPO will be held at a time when the world is looking for a new kind of balance and at a time where China in an unprecedented way is emerging as a global player. It is our hope and ambition that EXPO 2010 will help us build new as well as consolidate and strengthen existing relations between China and Norway. EXPO 2010 will be a meeting ground for politics, civic society, as well as industry, research, tourism and culture.
"We want to explore the city dweller's contact with nature," - Arild Blixrud, General Commissioner, Norway at EXPO 2010.
Using wood to innovate architecture
The roof of the pavilion rises and falls dramatically giving associations to the ocean, the coast, mountains and glaciers, depending on the eyes and imagination of the spectator.
With the pavilion, Norway invites China to re-explore the use of wood in load-bearing structures. Already in 1958 in Brussels, Norway participated with a pavilion made of laminated wood designed by world renowned architect Sverre Fehn.
This time, architect firm Helen & Hard makes a remarkable effort to reintroduce laminated wood to the world and achieves this by using 15 highly stylised models of Norwegian trees brought together to complete the pavilion.
"We will show how wood can be used to innovate architecture and urban concepts," - Reinhard Krôp and Siv Stangeland, Helen & Hard Architects.
The trees are of various heights and the roots of each trees are built into the foundation. Each tree has four branches and varies from 5 to 15 metres in height.
From the tips of the branches, a canvas is strapped and dragged giving the roof a dramatic span. From within the pavilion, the construction will give an airy and spacious feeling.
Laminated wood is widely used in Norway and we want to transfer our knowledge and technology in the hope that tree construction will be reintroduced in China.
The architects have developed an idea to relocate all 15 trees, in group or individually, all around China when the EXPO ends in October. These will be lasting monuments representing Norway’s participation in EXPO 2010, sustainability and the importance of nature to humans.
Energy, creative ability and a way of life
Inside Norway ’s pavilion, the audience is invited into a space where 15 individual “trees” come together to make up an entirety housing different Norwegian landscapes. Our visitors will be able to experience the city life and creativeness while at the same time being able to be at one with Norwegian nature.
Evocative landscapes:
Our representations will alternate from being the framework for various stories about the Norwegian way of life and cities to being the main message and attraction in itself. The audience will see how Norway utilises natural resources and also get a glance at Norwegian science, research and innovation.
The coast:
The first landscape is the coast, focusing on sustainable use of energy. That how to utilise renewable energy like the sun, the wind and the wave power that can improve the quality of the air and climate in urban areas will be shown and explained.
The city forest:
From the coast line, the audience is led into the Norwegian city forest. Here the audience will be introduced to the Norwegian way of life, the working life in Norway, the Norwegian welfare model and how Norwegians use nature in their everyday life. This is also where the Norwegian scientists will exhibit and display various projects and visions for collaboration with China and other countries.
The fjords:
The Norwegian fjords will illustrate the life-important relationship between man and water as well as how pollution affects the water and the techniques of how water can be purified.
The mountains:
In the pavilion, where the mountain meets the fjords, there is a business centre with a view over the landscape. Here conferences, seminars and other events will be held.
The Arctic:
The last landscape is the Arctic. In an open, beautiful, and dramatic landscape, food safety, nutrition and climate will be the themes. Here the visitors can go to a Norwegian seafood restaurant.