Member Article

Design brief for UK’s Milan Expo pavilion up for grabs

British design firms have the opportunity to create the UK’s pavillion at the upcoming Miland Expo.

UKTI are looking for a UK firm to design the pavillion which will stand on a 1,910 sq metre plot at next year’s Expo.

The event runs for six months and is themed on healthy sustainable food development.

The design brief for the UK pavilion is asking for ideas that focus on the UK’s impressive breakthroughs in the science, technology and retail sectors, including agri-tech, plant science, animal and human health, food safety and food and drink products and services.

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Livingston said: “Through the UK Pavilion we will reach millions of people around the globe and build on the positive perception established by the UK Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“As one of the most creative countries in the world we are looking for memorable designs that will help us stand head and shoulders above our international competitors.”

For the first time UKTI are inviting interested sponsors to come in as part of the bidding teams. A simultaneous search for a building contractor is also open for expressions of interest, as is the search for commercial partners interested in the opportunity to represent British food, drink and retail at the Expo.

The Milan Expo will run from 1 May 2015 to 31 October 2015, and over 20 million visitors are expected.

The last UK pavilion at Shanghai 2010 (pictured above), designed by Thomas Heatherwick, attracted international acclaim and won gold for best design. In the duration of the six month Expo more than eight million went inside the ‘Seed Cathedral’, making it the UK’s most visited tourist attraction.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .