Our aim was to create an unforgettable combination between innovative and technological structures. The uneven surface, the ‘L’ shaped plot and the surrounding self-built pavilions of other countries limited our plan but at the same time inspired us to concentrate on the main facade. Another significant restraint was the height set by the Expo organisers, which did not allow constructions higher than 12 metres, with the exception of one protracted point 17 metres high.
Therefore in order to avail of the whole 3,260 sqm assigned to our pavilion we tried to study a parallelepiped form that surges skywards, with a long flat roof that gently rises covering the pedestrian area and the main entrance. This roof is almost 30 metres long and is convex shaped, and it can easily be distinguished by its silhouette within the Expo 2015 grounds.
Completely covered in stainless steel, during the day it will shade visitors from the sun and at night it will reflect the illuminations from the surrounding lighting. It provides a huge interactive attraction as visitors can take photos of themselves as if they are looking at a reflection in a mirror. Wood is the main identifying element of the pavilion, being both ecological and traditional. The building’s upper floor is completely covered in wood while the walls of the ground level are in glass, a friendly boundary between the inside and outside of the structure.
The pavilion is straightforward to erect, as all the wood, glass and metal components are ready and can be easily assembled on a frame. Wood is the dominant element inside the structure: it is present in the reception area, in the furniture and in the finishing features. For us the pavilion should be not just an authentic representation of our country but also an engaging space that facilitates socializing and that is capable of captivating the attention of visitors. For this reason the roof is also a terrace from where visitors can enjoy a view of the whole exhibition.
The rear side of the structure blends harmoniously with the rest of the exhibition, its silhouette evokes the boundless landscapes of Russia, scattered with hills, valleys and steep slopes. The pavilion’s theme is food security, a serious topic that is directly connected to the problem of sustainability and availability of resources. We therefore tried to create a minimalist pavilion that would be elegant and stunning but also cost-effective to build. Having said this, and despite the fact that the structure appears very simple, the roof terrace creates an innovative and interesting solution and the state-of-the-art plastic principles that facilitated the use of wood, all are built on centuries of tradition in Russian architecture.” Sergej Tchoban
Russian Pavilion, Growing for the World. Cultivating for the Future, Expo Milano 2015, Expo Milano 2015
Architects: Studio Speech (Sergej Tchoban, Alexey Ilyin and Marina Kuznetskaya)
Area: 3,200 sqm
Completion: 2015