The Water Cube Designed by MVRDV
on 21/3/10
The Water Cube designed by MVDRV has taken the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast” provided for the 2012 International Exposition in Yeosu, South Korea and created something spectacular. Harnassing the idea that we should give greater recognition and awareness of the oceans and marine resources, and their importance to mankind, MVRDV design for the thematic pavillion focuses on 'extracting a block from the ocean’.
Stacked in the shape of a cube, the design for the pavillion has a central void surrounded by water basins each displaying a specific aspect of the ocean – the deep sea, the tropical waters, the mangroves, and reefs creating an encyclopaedic museum or a 'library of the oceans'.
The Water Cube designed by MVRDV
The whole structure is cleverly placed within the walls of the cube leaving the central void column-free. The structural elements are integrated in the walls, between the basins, in the form of a world map. This ensures that the theme of the Expo is celebrated with each ocean, continent and coastline being clearly seen on the façades of the cube, whilst also supporting it structurally with additional structural support elements being positioned in the solid parts of the continents.
The Water Cube designed by MVRDV
The water basins contained within the cube are interconnected to create a continuous cycle of fresh sea water that also regulates the buildings temperature, whilst PV cells are placed within the facades to generate the lighting and also the energy for the movement of the water. The design itself creates its own micro climate through the power of the oceans and water, this in itself mirrors the importance of the oceans to the world & its own climate, offering yet another interpretation of the brief for the Expo.
The Water Cube designed by MVRDV
When visiting the pavillion you will enter from underground into the central void, passing by the South Pole marked on the map and then making your way to the top, where of course the North Pole is situated, exploring as you go the various displays and the building itself. At the same time the different water basins are illuminated accordingly to their individual themes, as well as, on a day to night basis in tune with the real world and offering a 'magical water lantern'.
Like previous Expos before, the Water Cube aims to offer a landmark building for South Korea in a similar way to the Eiffel Tower, being the legacy of a previous Expo to Paris, and the Sphere in New York. The Water Cube can be simply converted into a variety of uses at the end of 2012 and hopefully will stand testament to the creativity of the architects and designers at MVRDV.
We at The Trend Boutique never tire of original work generated for these Expos as they provide endless sources of inspiration, they also create a real snapshot of our thoughts, our aspirations and our agenda for future generations, whilst allowing the architects & designers their own flights of fancy.
