Detail of soma's kinetic facade inspired by ocean life (photo: soma)

The Thematic Pavilion for the EXPO 2012 planned by the Austrian architecture office soma will be opened in Yeosu on 11 May. soma’s design proposal One Ocean was selected as the first prize winner in an open international competition in 2009. Here are the latest images.

The main design intent was to embody the Expo’s theme The Living Ocean and Coast and transform it into a multi-layered architectural experience. Therefore the Expo’s agenda, namely the responsible use of natural resources was not visually represented, but actually embedded into the building, e.g. through the sustainable climate design or the biomimetic approach of the responsive kinetic façade. The cutting-edge façade system was developed together with Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering and supports the aim of the world exhibition to introduce forward-looking innovations to the public.

Concrete conical detail (ph: soma)

Photo: soma

Photo: soma

For images of the Thematic Pavilion during construction, please visit: The EXPO Thematic Pavilion by soma in Yeosu, South Korea