The proposal for the “Italian Pavilion” for the EXPO 2015 in Milan is based on the integration between sustainable food and renewable energies.
Food is incorporated in the design by the continuation of the green of the exterior space, while energies are integrated in the façade.
The idea is to make the hortus goes from the exterior to the interior of the pavilion in order to create a greenhouse where people can easily produce food. This become the main element that characterize the volume from outside and also the interior space.
According to solar exposition the huge greenhouse (that requires direct illumination) is placed on the south side while a covered space for events and expositions (that requires indirect illumination) is placed on the north side looking to the lake on the “Piazza Italia”.
The pavilion is organized through a series of shifting volumes that create terraces facing south. They are part of the exhibition space, even if serving the whole building, and they are used for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, showing how is it possible to incorporate the production of food in the building.
These terraces look like a big urban step with a green wall system that works as a natural filter for ventilation and illumination. Each volume has its own function. Exhibition spaces, offices and spaces for events are placed at different levels as requested, and they find their point in common in the greenhouse.
The greenhouse guarantees a perfect control of interior climate along the year. The green wall works perfectly in every period. In the winter, since the plans have no leaves, the heat is released in the interior, in the summer, since plans have more leaves, the heat is stopped outside so to keep fresh the interior spaces.
The other characteristic element is the louver system. Since the pavilion requires spaces with direct light and others with indirect light, the shading system fades from south to north according to the program.
Louvers are made by photovoltaic panels so to guarantee a perfect integration with renewable energies that characterize the aspect of the building. They are tilted with different angles according to each side, so to optimize the solar radiation during the all day.
The pavilion personifies the icon of nature in architecture. It symbolizes the symbiosis between sustainable food and sustainable energies making the all building an example of sustainability.
Location: Milan, Italy Architect: Paolo Venturella Project Team: Angelo Balducci, Interpro SRL, VIA Ingegneria Year: 2013 Images: wemage