Discover the Suspended "Box of Energy"

Design release: Dec 19, 2008
Design philosophy: Lit up Dream with Innovation
Designer: Zhao Xiaojun, designer of 6 Olympic stadiums, including the "Water Cube"
Highlight 1: Box of Energy
The Energy Box, located in the center of the pavilion, has illusive lights, shadows and colors. It is a crystal of the entire building. In day, it has flowing lighting and shadowing, with ever-changing projecting and recessing feels; at night, it is like the Milky Way with shooting stars. The grand firework-like scenes can be viewed by visitors in front of the pavilion, or on the square and distant sidewalks.
Highlight 2: Abstract Architectural Texture
Each side of the pavilion is covered by mysterious lattice texture with wide and narrow lines at solid and void intervals, showing off abstractness and modernity. The inspiration comes from the urban layouts and electric power grids, and implies safety, quality, cleanness, and reliability which are made available through innovation. The dense holes on the surface of the pavilion are simple but subtle lighting and environmental protection devices, to provide natural lighting for certain areas within the pavilion.
Highlight 3: Innovation & Environmental Protection
The design incorporates a number of new technologies and materials, such as the Himawari 12-lens sunlight collecting system providing lighting for the basement and VIP meeting zone. The solar photovoltaic energy generation system and the sunlight collecting system incisively depict the concept of sustainability of urban power grids. The passageways elaborately introduce summer winds in Shanghai to give an S-shaped cool corridor, "Summer Wind Hunter" .
Highlight 4: Intimacy with "Power"
Under the Energy Box is the high-tech transformer substation specially built for the Expo, and it is called the "Energy Core". The floor is completely transparent and allows visitors to have a close look into power grid facilities. Curious children will have the opportunity to learn secrets of a substation through an intimate but safe distance.