Ireland

Architecture Ireland's Office of Public Works, led by principal architect Ciaran O'Conner
Exhibition design Event Communications
Area Undisclosed

Ireland's elegant elliptical curl of a louvred wood structure manages to evoke farm buildings and animal enclosures, reinforcing the theme of sustainable Irish farming, quality produce and tourism. A sequence of large A/V screens lines the entrance hall, depicting lush scenes of Irish farms, livestock and landscapes, variously drenched in rain, mist or sunshine, and accompanied by a rolling soundtrack of bleating lambs, downpours and thunder. Clusters of gauzy white 'clouds' are suspended over the screens, shifting in colour as the films move on from soft yellow sunrise through inky midday stormclouds to a pale-pink dusk.

Their point, says Ireland's Expo commissioner, John Kennedy, is to reveal the abundance and sustainable nature of Irish farming. 'Ireland at the moment has a population of five million but feeds 20 million. We produce far more food than we can consume. It has a growing season 12 months of the year. The cattle live in the field and eat green grass. Ireland is the biggest beef exporter in the northern hemisphere.

We intend to increase not only the output but the value of beef.' Ireland carbon footprints all its farms to ensure that, 'even with increased output, it's still carbon-footprint friendly'. With a view to expanding its meat and dairy markets -- especially to China, which has had scares recently with imports of questionable produce -- Ireland is introducing its 'origin green' hallmark at the Expo.

Continue for Belgium or read:

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