Perini Journal
Milan is in ferment, working at full regime to prepare EXPO 2015, the exhibition that from May 1st to October 31st of this year will involve 150 countries, international organizations and private companies in proposing the expected 20 million visitors their contributions to the theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ and bring forth concrete solutions to ensure everyone’s right to safe and healthy food, guarantee environmental, social and economic sustainability of the agricultural produce chain and safeguard the taste and culture for food.
THE EXHIBITION AREA, THAT EXTENDS OVER A SURFACE OF ABOUT ONE MILLION SQUARE METERS,
northwest of the center of Milan, was conceived as an island surrounded by a water channel and is structured around two perpendicular axes having a strong symbolic impact: the Decumanus (east-west road) and the Cardo (north-south) of the Roman city. The historical reference that inspired the project designers is the “castrum”, the Roman cross-shaped military camp that served as blueprint for many cities not only in Europe.
The pavilions of participating Countries will be located on the Decumanus, the main street, while the Cardo - the other axis of the exhibition village - will be characterized by the presence of the organizing country - Italy - and will be articulated into several different spaces set up by the Regions with their cities and provinces; an open space, composite but also enjoyable, an authentic full immersion in the tastes of Italian culture.
FROM THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN CARDO AND DECUMANUS, A LARGE PIAZZA WILL BE CREATED,
symbolic meeting place between the world and Italy. To monumental architecture, Expo Milano 2015 prefers landscape, to call visitors’ attention to natural elements and allow everyone to live a unique experience. Proposals by each participating country will be exhibited both inside the expo spaces and outside, in the areas that serve as connection and passageways, so that visitors are constantly immersed in the theme of the event.
For this reason, the expo site will host different theme areas, places where the leitmotif of the event develops: Padiglione Zero, Future Food District, Food in Art, Biodiversity Park, Children Park.
The theme chosen for this imposing exhibition – food – is among those that most interest man directly. Not just because we all are (or become) what we eat, but also because the true level of civilization of a nation is measured in the choices in the way we produce, process and make the products of the earth available to all.
THE THEME ITINERARIES WILL ALLOW VISITORS TO CONNECT THE MANY AREAS AND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPACES PRESENT AT THE EXPO
through coherent visitor routes based on the primary criterion established by some of the main themes chosen by the organizers and suggested by the participants, to which everyone invited to adhere. The Clusters represent one of the most characteristic elements of Expo Milano 2015 and constitute an extraordinary added value for the development of the theme itself. The exhibition spaces will be definitely innovative and will be able to welcome and organize numerous countries within a single architectural project developed around a central theme shared by and representative of all. Thanks to the use of the most cutting-edge technologies – augmented reality, interaction between technological devices, digital signage and web interaction – the expo area will turn into a Digital Smart City of the future.