France has presented its design for Expo Milano 2015 in Milan—its representative building will be covered in gardens on the outside, from which food will be harvested and served inside. Designed by XTU architects, the pavilion was made based on the expo's theme: "Feeding the Planet. Energy for Life."
The pavilion will have an undulating interior meant to evoke the rolling hills of France, albeit an upside-down version, Dezeen reports. Through the use of digital fabrication techniques, layers of timber will give the building its unique ridged structure. The plan is for vines to grow through the gaps in the latticed wood.
Food from the building’s exterior—specifically, vegetables, hops, and herbs—will be harvested daily and cooked using hydroponic processes in the pavilion’s restaurant. In addition to the restaurant, an exhibition on France’s food production will inhabit the interior.
XTU said in a statement: “On the facades, we grow hops, on the terrace aromatic herbs, and in the restaurant, vegetables to be eaten on the spot. Hydroponic production that depicts the French innovation in partnership with the world leader of the sector! It is the image of a "fertile market", in direct production-consumption system. And at the end, there will be a great event for the harvesting of hops.”
In order for the pavilion will go up in time for the expo, it’s scheduled to be built in May 2015. France is one of 144 nations participating in World Expo 2015, which will run from May to October of next year.
Related Stories
Performing Arts Centers | Jul 27, 2015
Vox Populi: Netherlands municipality turns to public vote to select design for new theater
UNStudio’s Theatre on the Parade received nearly three-fifths of votes cast in contest between two finalists.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 19, 2015
SET Architects wins design competition for Holocaust Memorial
The design for the memorial in Bologna, Italy, is dominated by two large metal monolithic structures that represent the oppressive wooden bunks in concentration camps in Germany during World War II.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 17, 2015
Rojkind Arquitectos serves up concert hall on the rocks in Mexico
The same way Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim has put Bilbao on the map, architect Michel Rojkind hopes his design will be “an urban detonator capable of inciting modernity in the area.”
Cultural Facilities | Jul 16, 2015
Louisville group plans to build world's largest disco ball
The sphere would more than double the size of the current record holder.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 14, 2015
Massive exhibition space in Inner Mongolia replicates steppe landscape
To mimic the Central Asian steppe landscape of the Chinese province Inner Mongolia, Kuanlu Architects proposed the construction of an exhibition plaza that can be walked on.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 13, 2015
German architect proposes construction of mountain near Berlin
The architect wants to create the world’s largest man-made mountain, at 3,280 feet.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 9, 2015
Gehry's Eisenhower Memorial plan gets OK from D.C. planning commission
Despite the thumbs up, disputes over costs may keep the $142 million work from ever being built.
Smart Buildings | Jul 9, 2015
St. Petersburg Pier’s dramatic makeover gets green light from city officials
The Pier Park will be a platform for a multitude of smaller and more flexible programs and experiences for tourists and the local community.
Museums | Jun 28, 2015
Manhattan's New Museum debuts first museum-led incubator space
Part studio, part shared workplace, part lab, and part professional development program, NEW INC connects design with technology, the arts with the market, students with seasoned practitioners, and the museum with the world.
Museums | Jun 23, 2015
Moreau Kusunoki's 'art in the city' scheme wins Guggenheim Helsinki design competition
The firm’s design concept makes use of the museum’s site, turning it into a bustling, well-connected waterfront hub.