Every few years a grand international Expo (historically known as the World’s Fair) is held in one of the world’s largest cities. According to Wikipedia, the purpose of these Expos is to “present new inventions, facilitate cultural exchange based on a theme, and are used for city, region and nation branding.”

This year’s was held in Shanghai, and the host city certainly outdid itself in terms presentation.

Not only is the Shanghai Corporate Pavilion an especially sustainable structure (it’s made entirely from recycled CD cases), but it is also a lighting display that reacts organically to its visitors. Guests can change the colors of the surrounding LED lights by moving, waving their arms, or clapping. When the Expo is finished, all the materials from the Pavilion will be repurposed.

Here’s a video that details the Dream Cube experience:

Another stunning entry is the UK Pavilions, which has been dubbed the Seed Cathedral, sort of resembles a huge fiber optic Koosh ball:

And if you’re interested in seeing the pavilions designed by other participating countries/continents while listening to the Blue Danube Waltz, chances are you’ll love this video:

[Inhabitat]

Images: Basil Childers/ESI Design/Flickr

Filed under: Architectural, e-News, Environmental

Tags: Architectural, Environmental