Architecture

French Pavilion at Expo 2015 turns the traditional market on its head

French Pavilion at Expo 2015 turns the traditional market on its head
The French Pavilion at World Expo 2015 draws inspiration from France's long standing tradition of farmer's markets and has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
The French Pavilion at World Expo 2015 draws inspiration from France's long standing tradition of farmer's markets and has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
View 26 Images
The French Pavilion at World Expo 2015 draws inspiration from France's long standing tradition of farmer's markets and has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
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The French Pavilion at World Expo 2015 draws inspiration from France's long standing tradition of farmer's markets and has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
The French Pavilion may not have scraped into Gizmag's top 10 Pavilions from Expo 2015, but it is definitely worth a visit if the World Exposition is on your list of things to do this year
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The French Pavilion may not have scraped into Gizmag's top 10 Pavilions from Expo 2015, but it is definitely worth a visit if the World Exposition is on your list of things to do this year
Drawing inspiration from France's long standing tradition of open farmer's markets, the French Pavilion has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
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Drawing inspiration from France's long standing tradition of open farmer's markets, the French Pavilion has been designed to resemble an inverted market place
Dubbed Canopee, the French Pavilion is a homage to French produce and artisans
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Dubbed Canopee, the French Pavilion is a homage to French produce and artisans
Interactive installations feature food products from France
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Interactive installations feature food products from France
Simonin Enterprise employed concealed joinery techniques, which gives the illusion that the Pavilion has been laser cut out of a single piece of wood
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Simonin Enterprise employed concealed joinery techniques, which gives the illusion that the Pavilion has been laser cut out of a single piece of wood
Visitors can take their time to walk through the exhibition, discovering different elements, themes and textures.
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Visitors can take their time to walk through the exhibition, discovering different elements, themes and textures.
Local French products such as wine feature in the roof's cavity
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Local French products such as wine feature in the roof's cavity
Reflected in its architecture and interactive layout, the French Pavilion invites visitors to explore its four founding pillars
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Reflected in its architecture and interactive layout, the French Pavilion invites visitors to explore its four founding pillars
Clusters of local produce and wine hang from the pockets in the wooden ceiling
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Clusters of local produce and wine hang from the pockets in the wooden ceiling
The basic founding structure of the Pavilion resembles a hexagonal shape
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The basic founding structure of the Pavilion resembles a hexagonal shape
The Pavilion's four founding pillars which include: promoting a sustainable food model; producing more and higher quality foods; sharing innovation and providing pleasure and health
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The Pavilion's four founding pillars which include: promoting a sustainable food model; producing more and higher quality foods; sharing innovation and providing pleasure and health
Outside of the impressive French Pavilion
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Outside of the impressive French Pavilion
Outside the French Pavilion at night
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Outside the French Pavilion at night
The French Pavilion at Expo 2015 in Milan
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The French Pavilion at Expo 2015 in Milan
Accomplished by XTU architects and Simonin Enterprises, the structure boasts a complex interior and exterior facade
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Accomplished by XTU architects and Simonin Enterprises, the structure boasts a complex interior and exterior facade
The undulating ceiling weaves its way through the massive 3,600 square meter space (38,750 sq. ft)
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The undulating ceiling weaves its way through the massive 3,600 square meter space (38,750 sq. ft)
Reflected in its architecture and interactive layout, the French Pavilion invites visitors to explore its sustainable themes
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Reflected in its architecture and interactive layout, the French Pavilion invites visitors to explore its sustainable themes
Made entirely from local French wood, the pavilion features a dramatic undulating ceiling
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Made entirely from local French wood, the pavilion features a dramatic undulating ceiling
The French Pavilion is made of entirely dismountable and reusable wood
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The French Pavilion is made of entirely dismountable and reusable wood
The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety
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The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety
The outdoor landscape which sits directly in front of the French Pavilion's entrance is a stunning and lush vegetable garden
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The outdoor landscape which sits directly in front of the French Pavilion's entrance is a stunning and lush vegetable garden
The Pavilion also features a unique heating suction system which capitalizes on the natural flow of air throughout the structure, thus creating a sustainable air circulation system
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The Pavilion also features a unique heating suction system which capitalizes on the natural flow of air throughout the structure, thus creating a sustainable air circulation system
The French Pavilion is a sustainable covered market
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The French Pavilion is a sustainable covered market
The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety
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The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety
France garden features candle-like LED lamps
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France garden features candle-like LED lamps
View gallery - 26 images

The French Pavilion narrowly missed out on a place in Gizmag's top 10 Pavilionsfrom World Expo 2015, but it isdefinitely worth a visit if you make it to Milan this year. Dubbed Canopee, the pavilion pays homage to French produce and artisans, drawing inspiration fromthe country's long standing tradition of open farmer's markets,

the FrenchPavilion has been designed to resemble an inverted market place.

Accomplishedby XTU architects and Simonin Enterprises, the structure is designed to resemble an inverted market place. Made entirely from local Frenchwood, it features a dramatic undulating ceiling that weaves its way through the massive 3,600 square meter space (38,750 sq. ft). SimoninEnterprises employedconcealed joinery techniques, which gives the illusion that the pavilion has been laser cut out of a single piece of wood.

The French Pavilion may not have scraped into Gizmag's top 10 Pavilions from Expo 2015, but it is definitely worth a visit if the World Exposition is on your list of things to do this year
The French Pavilion may not have scraped into Gizmag's top 10 Pavilions from Expo 2015, but it is definitely worth a visit if the World Exposition is on your list of things to do this year

The France Pavilion also features a unique heating suction system whichcapitalizes on the natural flow of air through the middle of the structure to create a sustainable air circulation system.

Through its architecture and interactive layout the French Pavilioninvites visitors to explore its four founding pillars:promoting a sustainable food model; producing more and higher qualityfoods; sharing innovation, and providing pleasure and health. Clustersof local produce hang from pockets in the wooden ceiling andvisitors can take their time to walk through the exhibition,discovering different elements, themes and textures.

Interactive installations feature food products from France
Interactive installations feature food products from France

"Thesefour pillars are highlighted by the conceptual set design andmuseographical presentation of the Pavilion, as well as by the areasfor culinary demonstrations, dining areas and those reserved for ourspecial partners throughout the Pavilion," say the French Pavilion designers. "The fourth pillar, dedicated to quality andpleasure, [is] particularly honoured. Symposiums, seminars and forumswill also provide for an opportunity to communicate and exchangeideas related to these four themes."

Theoutdoor landscape which sits directly in front of the entrance is a stunning and lush vegetable garden. Thegarden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site andfeatures 16 different sections, organized according to plantvariety.

The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety
The garden is one of the largest found at the World Exposition site and features 16 different sections, organized according to plant variety

TheFrench Pavilion has been designed to be completely dismantled andreassembled for re-purpose in France after Expo Milano 2015 finishes at theend of October.

Make sure you head to the gallery to enjoy the entire collection of stunning photos from the French Pavilion, skillfully captured for Gizmag by Italian Art Director Edoardo Campanale.

View gallery - 26 images
2 comments
2 comments
Bob Flint
I realize it's a pavilion, but hanging all the stuff high in the rafters is just dumb, how do you appreciate the detail, not to mention the strain on your neck trying to look up all the time.
Epic fail, doesn't surprise me it's by the French just want to be different, upside down, your turning me...
Alexander Lowe
Quite like it as an exercise in striking design. That said, something lots of people love about traditional timber frames is the craftsmanship visible in the joinery - it lets the material and technology speak for itself. If anyone gets the chance, it's well worth looking at the roof-timbers of a traditional French provincial market hall.