The Dutch Pavilion : Happy Street !

The Netherlands is making its appearance at China’s world exposition along an entire street. The submission, entitled “Happy Street”, is the response by designer John Kormeling to the Chinese Expo theme “Better City, Better Life”. "Happy Street," is mainly composed of a pedestrian strip shaped like the number "8,” a lucky number in China that suggests fortune. Seventeen small houses will be elevated along the main pedestrian strip. The houses will present exhibitions exploring themes such as energy, water, space and many other urban issues. The presence in Shanghai will not only strengthen relations with China, but the submission will also demonstrate that the Netherlands occupies an important place in the European Union and the global community.

The pavilion will likewise contribute to a stronger, modernized image of the Netherlands in China. Besides being the land of tulips, wooden shoes and windmills, “Happy Street” and the house exhibits will demonstrate that the Netherlands is also a country developing modern technology in harmony with people and the environment. This street offers visitors the chance to explore the Expo theme more deeply in any number of ways. It is the artist’s intention that the seventeen or so houses – each one a tiny pavilion in itself – will demonstrate how innovative the Netherlands is in its approaches to space, energy and water. The houses are suited to varying types of decoration, in order to attract a specially defined and interested audience. The designer are also planning to have a Floating Boulder scuplture and a water treatment facility on site to filter river water into drinking water.