Commissioned by Carré 7 architecture and BelExpo, vitroplena designed a spectacular glass dome that floods the entrance hall of the Belgian pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka with natural light.
The imposing hexagonal dome has a diameter of no less than 9.7 metres and consists of 24 triangular glass units supported by a custom-made, ultra-minimalist steel structure. Thanks to its clever, modular design, the entire structure can be dismantled in no time, transported in containers and reassembled at a new location. After the Expo, the dome will travel to Belgium, where it will be given a second life at a (currently still secret) location.
An absolute eye-catcher is the ring-shaped waterfall structure suspended from the dome, which not only makes a visual statement but also feeds the vegetation in the entrance hall with water and mist.
During the design and engineering phase, vitroplena took complex technical challenges into account, from wind and snow loads in Osaka to the more permanent structural requirements on Belgian soil. The weight of the waterfall also played a key role in optimising the design.
From glass compositions and support structures to anchoring and assembly details, vitroplena took care of the entire design and engineering process. The focus was on achieving an optimal balance between aesthetics and efficiency: minimal use of steel, perfectly positioned suspension points for the waterfall and maximum glass units for an impressive visual effect.
So when you enter the entrance hall of the Belgian pavilion, don't forget to look up!
As we say at vitroplena: glassification completed!
#letsglassifytheworld
