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Swiss Pavilion Expo 2010, Shanghai CN

Everything is based on comparisons. What is Switzerland, what is China? What is typically “Swiss” about Switzerland, what is “Chinese” about China?

In an increasingly globalised world, there is a growing need on the one hand to compare the “own” with the “other”. At the same time, it is becoming more and more difficult to make unambiguous classifications. In the daily exchange the common prevails. 

Cultural opposites from the past are being transferred to museums or become popular souvenirs. The Swiss Pavilion at the 2010 World Exposition presents Switzerland as a globally networking country with a long tradition of international exchange in science, research and culture.

Comparison of Swiss and Chinese innovative strength

In a playful comparison between China and Switzerland, the predominantly Chinese public is introduced to the largely unknown country as a remarkable place of ideas and inventions in the centre of Europe. 

For foreign visitors, European and Swiss guests, the performance builds a bridge to the great historical achievements of Chinese culture and the economic successes of today. Switzerland’s experience: Cultural and economic progress is always based on intensive exchange and mutual stimulation, and China also plays a central role in this.

Plans, Drawings and Diagrams

Plans, Drawings and Diagrams

Project Details

Client
Presence Switzerland
Location
Shanghai, China
Internal Team
Christoph Kellenberger, Catarina Martins Marques Canas, Andreas Derrer, Severin Boser, Lukas Bosshard, Benedict Ramser, Gonçalo A. Manteigas
Year
2008
Typology
Culture, Hospitality
Discipline
Architecture, Interior Design
Task
New Building
Status
Competition

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