GM SAIC PAVILION

2010 Shanghai Expo

LOCATION

Shanghai, China

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CLIENT

China Oil

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ARCHITECT

Grout McTavish Architecture

Brad McTavish (Principal) 

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YEAR DESIGNED

2010

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COST

$50M USD

SIZE

60,000 sf enclosed area

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The Pavilion was designed to contain two motion based Omni-max theaters showing the advanced development of GM vehicles looking beyond the immediate context of today to the year 2030 where advanced materials and drive control’s will make the autonomous vehicle of science fiction a reality. Using the creative spirit of the pavilions story the architecture was developed to reflect this transportation narrative of tomorrow. The building is an automotive or motion shape designed utilizing advanced three dimensional cladding technology to express the notion of speed, agility and economy of form. The main shroud structure hovers above an entrance plaza punctuated with water platforms used for natural cooling of the buildings interior while acting as display areas for future vehicles. The pavilions interior was to be expressive of the engine of tomorrow while accommodating large spiral circulation ramps theatres and display areas within.