Designed in the shape of a waterfall, the incredible structure that you see in the picture above is a proposal for the Thematic Pavilion of Yeosu 2012 world expo to be held next year in Korea. The expo is an attempt to increase people’s awareness about the life of the ocean and the critical environmental issues that it faces today.
Owing to the deep relation between the living organisms of the Earth and the ocean, the designers of the Thematic Pavilion, the ARCHI[TE]NSIONS, conceptualized their design around the common element – the water. Taking their inspiration from the many beautiful waterfalls found in Korea like the Cheonjiyeon, they shaped their building in the form of a waterfall. If you take a look at it, you will notice three flat surfaced structures, covered with rich vegetation, protruding out of the waterfall shaped building. Along with forming the supporting framework of the building, these greenery covered structures also act as exhibition areas.
In sync with the theme of the world expo, the designers have provided the building with dedicated spaces for each strata of the ocean. From the superficial level to the depths of the ocean, the building unveils the hidden life contained within the vast expanses of the ocean. High resolution screens and interactive tools would help the visitors understand every aspect of the life that exists concealed to us beneath the depths of the ocean.
Your journey to the oceanic environments starts from the top of the waterfall shaped building. The visitors are first welcomed by a panoramic view of the bay from the observation deck of the building, after moving down you can experience the superficial strata of the ocean, known as the intertidal zone ranging from 0 to 200 meters, in the first exhibition space. This strata is the area where all the photosynthesis can take place. On moving further, you can go through different facilities and laboratories and monitor the ocean in real time. This is possible due to the methodology developed by the Neptune Institute at the University of Washington.
Further down the pavilion lies the benthic zone, the middle strata of the ocean followed finally by the deepest levels of the ocean. While moving inside the building, the visitors can enjoy the water cascading down the building like the natural waterfalls. The building has been provided with ramps and escalators to facilitate easy movement within the building. There’s also an area dedicated to the BPA exhibition equipped with innovative technologies for projection and space for panel discussion.
As you reach the ground level of the building, a water garden completes your journey through the entire ocean bringing you to the surface. Designers have ensured that the waterfall shaped building is eco-friendly by integrating it with systems that can make use of the natural sources of energy like the sun, water and the wind near the ocean.
Via: OpenBuildings
