The only Scottish architectural practice shortlisted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to design the £10m British Pavilion for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai is being showcased at London’s V&A in an exhibition.

draw architects is one of six companies chosen from 47 entrants to develop conceptual ideas for a 6000m2 site which will promote the best of British talent and creativity during the Expo which opens in May 2010 and will run for six months. Up to 40,000 visitors are expected to the British Pavilion each day.

With a central theme of “Better City, Better Life”, World Expo 2010 aims to promote the exchange of ideas, improve international understanding, develop the world’s economy and focus on the future.

The brief for the British Pavilion highlights the UK’s lead in promoting policies and technologies for a low carbon economy and sustainable urban development. The contents will use innovation and technology to display the UK’s strengths in sustainable development, creating a stimulating and long-lasting showcase to illustrate how British culture, media, sport, education and business is supporting this central theme.


Mark Bingham, draw’s founding director, said: “Being shortlisted alongside other such established practices is a great achievement for a young company such as ours and highlights the strength of our team which includes Graven Images, dcmstudios and Arup.

"The Expo site is 150 times the size of Princes Street gardens in Edinburgh so it’s clear that you have to do something pretty special to become a destination for someone visiting.

"We felt from the outset that the exhibition and the building concept required to be derived simultaneously to ensure both contributed to a great visitor experience. We also concluded that the Pavilion and its content require to be delivered in a manner that is both fun and serious. The resolution of this paradox is very British yet has a cultural relevance to the Chinese.

"Our Pavilion is on one level an island with clouds over it and on another a simple low building containing the main functional requirements of the brief. It is robust, low cost and 90% recyclable, creating a raised platform for 4 stunning small pavilions in a new park. The building is a clear metaphor for British urban and rural life.”

(CD/JM)