Milan's US pavilion for 2015 World Expo

Construction work is well underway on the United States pavilion for the 2015 World Expo in Milan, Italy, a six-month event that will commence on May 1, in line with the overarching theme of the Expo: “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.

Designed by Biber Architects, the pavilion is titled “American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet’ and will explore the role that the United States plays in the global food network.

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, explains, “The Milan World Expo of 2015 is a chance for us to share with the world the work that American scientists, chefs, entrepreneurs, farmers and fishermen all continue to do, day-in and day-out, and hopefully help people to understand the ways in which we can make progress in the future.” Visitors are expected to number more than 20 million over the course of the Expo, and are to enter the pavilion through a set of aeroplane hangar-style doors that lead to a boardwalk construction using recycled lumber. 

This platform sweeps upwards to the second floor where it meets the exhibition venue. Above this is a rooftop terrace with a dimmable glass shade and energy-generating panels, providing a space for evening events and entertainment for VIP guests.                  James Biber, founder and principal of Biber Architects, sees the pavilion as a “scaffolding for ideas, a rethinking of the nature of the Expo pavilion and of America as a force in the food world.” 

As such, the team has incorporated a series of rotating food trucks to demonstrate the street food culture of America, and created a vertical farm which runs the entire length of the  pavilion. This hydroponic façade will be harvestable, with the crops set in panels that move in relation to the changing position of the sun  throughout the day. A rainwater irrigation system will feed the planted façade, which will be brought to life for the duration of the Expo.