Photos courtesy of Haim Dotan and Shen Qiang.
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| Theme: “Innovation for Better Life” |
Design: Haim Dotan Ltd. Architects and Urban Designers/Prosper Amir |
| Fabrication: Shanghai Century 3 Construction Co. Ltd. |
Size: 4,265 square feet |
| Client: State of Israel; Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
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Exterior Design: Architecturally acknowledging the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, Israel constructed its first World’s Fair pavilion since Expo '67 in Montreal with two curvilinear forms — one of stone and one of glass — that symbolize the dualities confronting modern Israeli life, such as man versus nature, and ancient versus modern. Contained within the natural stone half of the 79-foot-high structure is the Hall of Innovations, illustrating how nature and science can work together to create a sustainable world. Underneath the transparent glass section is the Hall of Light, personifying the benevolent future technology can lead us into.
Pavilion Summary: A strand of 54 orange trees representing the way Israelis terraformed their country from a sere wasteland to one of lush groves, stand in front of the pavilion. Known as The Enlightened Garden, aka The Whispering Garden, the trees are outfitted with diminutive speakers and sensors that softly voice greetings in English and Mandarin when visitors edge close by.
The relaxing warmth of the orange grove continues when attendees step inside the glass-covered Hall of Light. Here, in an expanse illuminated by natural daylight, attendees follow a curved wall with a 49-foot-high screen picturing Israel’s storied history and rich Semitic heritage, as well as a historical depiction of Israel’s major tourist attractions. Situated inside the stone sphere, the Hall of Innovations is the high point of the pavilion.
Once inside the 52-foot-high room, visitors learn of Israel’s innovations in Green energy, science, music, literature, and even security through hundreds of “light spheres.” Shaped like sunflowers and arranged like rows of corn stalks, each of the glowing spheres plays a recording of an Israeli citizen recounting one of the country’s innovations, from extracting diesel oil from plants to inventing the computer memory stick. Overhead, a 360-degree screen envelops the room with more sights and sounds extolling Israeli technical achievements.
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