The RIBA will lead an architectural workshop and trade mission to Shanghai, China, from
19-23 July 2010. This visit will promote the work of UK architects as part of the UKTI’s Creative Industries workshop programme at Shanghai Expo 2010|. The RIBA has invited UK chartered members to participate in the workshop and mission sponsored by UKTI and Crystal CG.

Shanghai Expo 2010

• Theme: 'Better City, Better Life'.

• Duration: May 1 to Oct 31 2010.

• Representing over 250 countries.

• 70 million expected visitors.

The British Pavilion

Thomas Heatherwick’s design for the British Pavilion is a cube-like structure composed of 60,000 glass rods. Each rod contains a seed, forming a ‘seed cathedral’ to represent ‘sowing the seeds of partnership’. Designed to represent UK innovation and creativity, it challenges existing perceptions by demonstrating the nation’s leading role in architecture, science and technology.

The focus of the pavilion will be the illuminated light box, which will be lit in the evening. After the Expo the structure will be disassembled and the rods sold as souvenirs.

View image gallery|

 

Interactive workshop

|The architecture 'charette', sponsored by Beijing Crystal Digital Technology Co Ltd|, will be an interactive workshop that will bring UK and local architects, developers and students together to make proposals for a number of Shanghai city sites, selected for the event by the Shanghai Urban Planning and Land Resource Administration Bureau.

Programme of RIBA events

19 July	Tour of Shanghai Expo including tour of British Pavilion
20 July	Consulate briefing and tour of city sites (preparation for charette) Tour of Crystal CG offices and reception
21 July	Full day charette with presentations to RIBA Immediate Past President, Sunand Prasad, and Sir Terry Farrell
22 July	Architectural showcase (mission seminar) with introduction by Consul-General and Sunand Prasad Missioners’ presentations on sustainability, globalization, participation and identity Keynote speech by Sir Terry Farrell RIBA/UKTI reception
23 July	Networking opportunities for missioners

The RIBA party will be led by Sunand Prasad, Immediate Past President, Roula Konzotis, Director of Communications, and Ian Pritchard, Director of Policy and International Relations.