State Grid Pavilion : innovation empowers dreams

The theme of State Grid’s participation in Shanghai Expo is “Innovation empowers dreams”. It shows the development of UHV transmission and the “Strong & Smart Grid”, and its contribution to the improvement of life environment and optimal allocation of resources by exhibiting the relationship of renewable resources and electricity.
State Grid’s effort on sustainable development is a respond to the theme of Shanghai Expo which is ‘better city, better life’.

Three major highlights of the State Grid Pavilion

1. Architecture design elements: green, energy-saving, and affinity

The grid's pavilion is a metallic square with a crystal cube embedded inside. It includes displays showing how the substation works.

The pavilion's design featured “Innovation empowers dreams” and theme is based on the "relationship between electricity and daily life." It was designed by Zhao Xiaojun, the chief designer of the pavilion, who was also senior designer for the National Aquatics Center for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, better known as the "Water Cube." The State Grid Pavilion will feature an energy centre to serve the Expo Site. Zhao and his team transfused a brand new identity to the pavilion, “green, energy-saving, and affinity”.

2．“Magic Box” with images on six screens

The 4,000-square-meter pavilion, named "Magic Box," is designed to be a metallic square with a crystal cube embedded inside. The cube will be in the theater that will provide the special experience. It also will provide an unprecedented 720-degree visual experience. It will come from screens fixed on the walls, ceiling and in the floor.

The cube will be covered by LED screens and will show glaring images at night to give visitors a sense of electricity, says Zhao Xiaojun, chief designer of the pavilion, who was also senior designer for the National Aquatics Center for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, better known as the "Water Cube."

Entering the “magic box”, visitors will follow the sparkling lights and walk towards a transparent floating platform. Visitors will experience sensations such as if they are surfing in the sea and being engulfed by waves, or standing on a cliff and then dropping. Handrails will be installed for patrons to prevent them falling down. The movie will be displayed for the duration of the Expo, with a capacity for 250 viewers at a time.

3. A safe and comfortable environment with high technology

Sunshade Area

State Grid Pavilion makes use of the aerial construction to form a sunshade area as the waiting area for visitors’ comfort. The water mist cooling system is used to lower the temperature of the waiting area, which improves the air conditioning.

Construction Energy Consumption

In the aspect of construction energy-consumption, pipeline photoconductive lighting system works in daytime which leads sunlight indoors to light the exhibition areas which helps power saving. And at night, a solar PV system which covers an area of 800 square meters provides power for the building. Furthermore, the pavilion is made from recycle construction materials.

Safe, speed and friendliness

State Grid Pavilion pays attentions to visitors’ comfort. The design is taken consideration of change of sunshine, shade and wind and works hard to make all visitors feel comfortable environment while visiting. Handicap service is also provided in the pavilion.