World Expo is just like an arena and stage for countries and international organizations worldwide to show their originalities and wits. On this stage, inspirations will be converged and the Expo Theme will be wonderfully demonstrated through the pavilions built by participants who will also give a prefect presentation of their respective cultural quintessence.

With the approach of construction of pavilions for Expo Shanghai, design concepts of these pavilions attracting much attention will be unveiled gradually. May of 2006, Switzerland released relevant information for design of the Swiss Pavilion for Expo Shanghai. Focusing on the topics widely concerned with the Swiss Pavilion, we held a face-to-face talk with the Consul-General of Switzerland in Shanghai, Mr. William Frei, who told us: "Switzerland is just at the beginning of its way to Expo Shanghai...", an expression full of meaning.

Technological Insight, Beautiful Dream

Let's introduce some key words with regard to the Swiss Pavilion for Expo Shanghai for your better understanding: roof cable-car, enigmatic building construction, Taoist philosophy of Ying and Yang.

While showing us the photographs at hand, Frei drew a detailed and vivid picture to us: "The Swiss Pavilion, covering an overall floor area of around 4,000 m2, in a word, is a building with a combination of technological insight and beautiful dream." According to Frei, the Swiss Pavilion is designed by Buchner & Bründler Architects Limited from Switzerland. With a strong symbolic meaning, the complicated pavilion building, a masterpiece produced by the kingdom of science fictions, can most possibly be translated into a hybrid factory, a sustainable laboratory, as well as a mix of architectural arts, blending science fictions and aesthetic designs together.

"Two interior round columns, one big and one small, will serve as major supports of the pavilion that will use translucent curtain wall materials for its exterior finishing and solar technology for its facade area. Also, building materials responding the innovative and sustainable development idea will be used for the rest. The roof layout mimics the landscape of Heidi's hometown (a beautiful countryside), such as the green common milfoils set off by dandelion herbs. Riding a cable-car, specifically designed for the pavilion, people can get to the roof for a sightseeing of the classic Swiss scenery," said Frei. Sitting in the cable-car, visitors will be provided with an overall view of the pavilion. As an element of game identity introduced into the design, the cable-car will take people up and out to the roof garden (the Nature) from the inside pavilion (the heavily burdened City).

"The Taoist theory of Ying and Yang is well reflected in the entire building, to achieve an ingenious combination of high-tech and the Nature," Frei stressed. The design concept is visible in a mix of many contradictory elements, an intricate building structure, and an irregular shape, using asymmetrical or hybrid elements to produce a harmonious integrity and offer an unexpected surprise.

Perfect Reflection of Shanghai World Expo Theme

In Switzerland, Frei lives in a small village of only 140 inhabitants, which is inlayed among the beautiful lakes and mountains scenery. Having been working and living in Shanghai for 10 months, Frei enjoys new experiences provided by the prosperous and dynamic city everyday. His place in Shanghai is surrounded by flowers and herbs, "a natural residence within the metropolis" in his mind.

"Working in city and living in nature, an idea well coordinating the natural residence and city life, is also embodied in design of the Swiss Pavilion, which presents a perfect combination of architecture and nature, as well as the mixed nature of technology and natural world in future urban space, where people will continuously seek to improve the quality of life."

As one of the first countries to confirm their participation in Expo Shanghai, Switzerland made its decision as early as March 26, 2006. According to Frei, Presence Switzerland (an agency appointed by Swiss government to be in charge of the country's participation in Shanghai World Expo) organized a design competition to select a design plan of the Swiss Pavilion, which can give a perfect reflection of Expo Shanghai theme and make it one of the most striking and most attractive pavilions at the Expo. The competition attracted a good many of design teams, who provided 104 design plans in total. This February, a 12-member expert panel determined a shortlist of 12 design plans; on the 23rd of May, the winning design, developed by Buchner & Bründler Architects Limited from Switzerland, was finally selected and approved by the selection committee chaired by Mr. Uli SIGG , Commissioner-General for Switzerland official presentation in Expo Shanghai.

Frei concluded five reasons for selection of the plan; "strong symbolism", "Swiss originality", "unexpected surprise", "plain style of Swiss image", and "arouse of human affection".

"The selected design plan will bring fantasies of sustainable development and future city life into a logical cycle, and echo the theme of World Expo 2010 Shanghai 'Better City, Better Life'," Frei indicated. The Swiss Pavilion has not been entitled yet. Presence Switzerland will submit the official statement report for design plan of the Swiss Pavilion at the second participants meeting to be held in Shanghai later this year, and communicate with the Expo Organizer for further revision and improvement of the plan according to relevant review comments and suggestions, to make a perfect match with requirements of the Expo Organizer.

Promotion and Consolidation of Sino-Swiss Friendly Cooperative Relationship

World Expo is a great event for countries worldwide to present and exchange their economic, cultural, scientific and technological achievements. Shanghai World Expo is a great opportunity for Switzerland -- a country has an urgent need to establish its image of modern, innovation and environmental integrity, and to show its perspectives of excellence to the world, such as the nature of modern Switzerland -- pursuit of excellence, endless innovation, and forward looking.

Frei also hoped that the original Swiss Pavilion would present the harmonious coexistence of traditional and modern elements of Switzerland, and promote a more comprehensive perception of Switzerland to be held by peoples all over the world. In the meantime, Frei expected Switzerland to participate in exhibitions within the Urban Best Practices Area. Frei said: "China is a nation of great importance in the world today. The numerous business opportunities brought by its economic development and its cultural variety and diversity attract all peoples. Therefore, many Swiss cannot wait until 2010 to visit China."

"Expo Shanghai is a universal exposition to show the public future life and inspire the peoples with speculation upon what our future city life would be, how the human being could face the changing world with their extraordinary capability," indicated Frei. Switzerland has started the substantial preparatory works for participation in Expo Shanghai, which will be a good chance for us to promote image of Switzerland and expand its influence in China. Therefore, we will organize a series of relevant promotion programs and activities during exhibition season of the Swiss Pavilion. At the same time, by taking this historic opportunity, we will do our contributions to promote and consolidate Sino-Swiss friendly cooperative relationship.