Architectural Design Inspired in Milan Expo 2015
Since the earliest times, structures are created by men for different reasons, mostly to act as shelter and human protection. Centuries later, even with the many changes in these structures, these are still made for the same reason: to help make man’s daily life easier. That’s why different countries of the world come together to witness how far the architectural structures of the world has come at the Milan Expo 2015.
Held in Milan, Italy, the exposition, which opened on May 4, is a gathering of the brilliant design team and architects of different countries of the world that showcases global talent and beauty. Universal Expo aims to show the beauty of the world through architecture and design. Some countries took inspiration from their country’s natural resources and well-renowned assets such as the desert for the United Arab Emirates. Others took a more modern inspiration such as Beijing’s skyline.
For this year’s exposition, Nottingham-based artist Wolfgang Butress headed a team of brilliant architects and designers to come up with this year’s Beehive-inspired UK Pavilion. In an interview, British Trade Minister Lord Livingston said “The UK’s participation in the Milan Expo will promote the UK’s world-leading expertise in the creative, life sciences, agri-tech, and food and drink sectors to our top trade and investment partners.”1
Dubbed as The Hive, the structure is a gilded steel orb that reminds people of the British hills. It is elegantly crafted made of 169,300 metal pieces, lights and sounds. It is the perfect combination of art, architecture and engineering,2 all inspired by the ecosystem, showing us that no matter how developed we become, we still go back to nature. Designed by Wolfgang Buttress, the architectural beauty was made to denote the essence of honeybee to the ecosystem. The globe-shaped hollow of the honeybee structure is made of glass platform so the visitors can experience what it is like to walk inside a beehive. The Hive takes after a beehive not only in its physical appearance but also through the bee’s activity in the hive through its lighting effects and music giving visitors a whole experience.
The expo is a temporary thing, except that UK Pavilion will be rebuilt in the UK. This exposition has become a place where people can immerse in culture of the exhibitors. But if there is one thing that’s consistent in the exhibit, that is architectural design has really improved and impacted that lives of millions of people around the globe. Now, buildings are not only rectangular in shape, but can be elliptical. This development allowed people to solve previous architectural shortcoming, create another out-of-the-world experience and bask in the beauty and possibility the world offers.
References:
1 “UK Pavilion for Expo 2015” http://milanexpotours.com/milan-expo-project-2015/uk-pavilion-expo-2015.html
2 “Gallery: The Top 5 Milan Expo Pavilions” http://www.archdaily.com/632916/gallery-the-top-5-world-expo-pavilions/
http://www.archdaily.com/627728/uk-pavilion-milan-expo-2015-wolfgang-buttress/