Belgium

Architect Patrick Genard & Associados
Area 2,717 sq m

Belgium's wood-and-glass pavilion greets the main thoroughfare with a generous, landscaped, open auditiorium for performances and relaxation, with a handy nearby vending cart for Belgian frites and waffles. The sprawling pavilion itself was designed by Patrick Genard & Associados, to represent different aspects of Belgian heritage and expertise.

The main entrance building is a barn-style dwelling. Screened footage at the entrance shows Belgium as a place of artists, creativity, innovation and hospitality. A gangplank leading down to a lower ground floor reveals a 'cave' filled with glowing circular aquaria and showcases on futuristic farming, from insect harvesting and aquaponics to fish farms run on algae and mushroom fields fertilised with coffee grounds.

The visitor then emerges up the DNA helix-inspired staircase into the central atrium hospitality area, topped with what looks like a diamond-faceted glass dome. Genard's background in luxury hotel and restaurant design comes to the fore here: tubular, copper light fittings sparkle over a beer and sandwich bar; elsewhere, a gleaming, scientific-looking 'food lab' provides more refined fare, while a circular, central desk allows visitors to browse through Belgium's attractions and innovations on small screens.

Visitors exit past a series of display cases of sparkling diamond jewellery, offering souvenirs several cuts above the usual hats and T-shirts (imaginary subtitle: 'if you need to ask the price, you can't afford them').

Continue for Czech Republic or read:

The making of Wolfgang Butruss' UK Pavilion

Milan Expo 2015: From Blueprint's point of view