Milan Expo 2015: The Italy Pavilion
Alessandro Ilarda
Jun 8, 2014
A symbolic heart of the entire project, the Italian Pavilion or Palazzo Italia as it is attractively called, will be the most important structure of the Expo 2015.
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According to plans, the pavilion will remain erect after the Expo period terminates, and will serve as a hub of technological innovation at the service of the city. On the other hand, the structures to be erected in the Cardo will be temporarily fabricated buildings.
Development And Architecture
The Italy Pavilion project will be developed by architects Nemesi & Partners, and is themed around the urban forest. Evoking the artistic concept of the Italy Nursery created by Marco Balich, the Palazzo Italia draws inspiration from natural architecture.
The branched weave of the external skin of the building generates alternations of light, shadow, solids and voids. The scenario created in the process is largely reminiscent of Land Art works.
The External Skin
The artistic concept of the competition, the Italy Nursery, is perfectly reflected in the external skin of the building with the help of an image of a petrified forest. The inner square of the Palazzo gives shape to the building, structured to hold four blocks that are connected to each other with bridges. The architecture of the Palazzo takes shape like a community gathered around its square.
The Four Blocks
Four blocks inside the Palazzo accommodate all of the events of the Expo for Italy, and they are the Exhibition area (West block), the Auditorium-Events area (South block), the Offices area (North block) and the Conference-Meeting rooms (East block).
Palazzo Italia starts its exhibition itinerary from the inner square, providing event space on the ground floor, and spaces for exhibition, conference and meeting spaces on upper levels. The fourth level has restaurant spaces as well, and a rooftop terrace.
A Landmark
Because of its central location and spectacular architecture, the Palazzo will be a landmark of sorts in the Expo, and the volumetric articulation of the Cardo buildings is based on the idea of the Italian village, consisting of juxtaposed volumes in small squares, terraces and porticoes.
