Cyclebowl

Abstract

The exhibition pavilion of the “Quales System Deutschland” (a nationwide recycling scheme for packaging materials] at EXPO 2000 in Hannover was a futuristic structure in more ways than one. The pneumatic membrane construction of the external envelope could adapt “Intelligently” to different requirements and situations, and the internal climate concept centred around natural processes. The role models for the design team were living organisms which could adapt to their environment and react to changing situations, and thus exist in a dialogue with their habitats. This interaction between inside and outside followed a defined dramatic plot which was intrinsic to the staging of the exhibition. “Form follows content.” This, a reformulation of the maxim of the Modern Movement, was the guiding principle for the planners — a multidisciplinary team of architects, stage designers and scenery specialists. They therefore paid homage to the transformation of “content” into tangible settings which were generated by the interaction of exhibition scenes and architecture.