Architecture

A forest in the Austria Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015
A forest in the Austria Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 it has been modified: 2022-06-01 di Benedetto Fiori

In response to the theme of this edition of Milan EXPO 2015, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", the contribution of the Austria pavilion designed by the team.breathe.austria group draws our attention to one of the most precious resources: air .

As fundamental components of the biosphere, air, climate and atmosphere unite all living creatures on our planet. As such, the air is both a source of sustenance and a natural heritage.

The pavilion functions as a prototype to address a possible future interaction between the natural environment and urban strategies by demonstrating the potential of hybrid systems that integrate nature and technology.

The central element is a dense Austrian forest combined with technical elements in order to create a microclimate. With this core, producer of oxygen and carbon, the pavilion becomes an “air generation station”, the only building in the entire EXPO site that allows you to withstand the hot Milanese summer without conventional air conditioning.

For designers, these combinations of natural systems and technology will initiate a paradigm shift for the future.

The pavilion was developed by the interdisciplinary project group team.breathe.austria under the direction of landscape architect and university professor Klaus Loenhart.

The entire surface of the pavilion is densely planted with 12 ecotypes Austrian forest, ranging from mosses and shrubs to trees up to 12 meters.

In a natural forest, rich in water, cooling occurs through evapotranspiration, i.e. the evaporation of water from the flora and fauna, as well as from the surface of the soil. At breathe.austria, however, the evaporative cooling process is technically enhanced. While the pavilion area is only 560 m2, high-pressure thermodynamic misting nozzles are used to activate the total evaporation surface of the pavilion vegetation, which is approximately 43.000 m2. Despite the spatial constraints, breathe.austria manages to create a unique climate zone within the pavilion: a pleasantly cool atmosphere that invites you to linger.

The effective interaction between nature and technology cools the interior space from 5 to 7 ° C and supplants conventional air conditioning. The pavilion produces 62,5 kg / h of oxygen, enough for 1.800 visitors. On its 560m2 surface, breathe.austria has built the equivalent of a much larger natural forest.

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015

Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2015 Austria Pavilion Expo Milano 2016

Photo credit: Daniel Madia

Project: team.breathe.austria

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