EXPO 2105
In the summer of 2015, Milan will host an international exposition focused on national practices of renewable food and energy production. The Icelandic Pavilion refers to a strong dependency on livestock and fodder crops (grasses used for livestock feed) because the lack of sun and short growing season, and huge expanses of grassy landscapes. Due to it's unique geographical conditions, Iceland displays a long tradition of digging into the ground for warmth and light both through subterranean architecture and geothermal energy.
The pavilion shows Iceland's mastery of renewable food and energy production while subverting and queering traditional ideas of the national landscape. The heart of the project lies in its negotiating of opposites: natural v. artificial, heavy v. light, permanence v. deployability, Icelandic folklore v. Scandanavian rationale, and authenticity v. imitation.
The construction system is a lightweight plywood panel system, which is partially assembled offsite and completely deployable. Upon entering the building, the huge mass of land reveals itself as a thin shell which gives its inhabitants the duel sensation of standing both on the ground and underground.
Project partner: Dmirtrii Kanivetc. Instructor: Mauricio Soto
