Germany

Architecture Schmidhuber and Milla & Partner
Area 4,913 sq m

The German Pavilion, half-hidden by colourful Ecuador in front of it, is large but doesn't shout out. A ramp gently rises 10m to a complex structure, in which white forms curve either side of a terrace boardwalk and sun terrace. There is a sense of flow taking you past the five white forms which open out like flowers -- these are the 'solar trees', with printed photovoltaics mounted on a fine mesh in their material. On the other side, more fabric structures cover roof-like buds emerging from the soil. The wood-clad, naturally ventilated building below houses displays of ideas about water, soil, climate and biodiversity, and a theatre for 250 people. Back outside, one side of the ramp defines a sheltered seating area and amphitheatre, facing a separate stage area for musicians.

Germany's theme is Fields of Ideas, and they are in abundance here, notably in green technology. But the big idea of replacing nature to demonstrate nature-friendly ideas leaves the experience of the building a little lifeless. Biomimetic trees are clever, but real trees are so much warmer.

Continue for Holland or read:

The making of Wolfgang Butruss' UK Pavilion

Milan Expo 2015: From Blueprint's point of view