In 2014, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an open architectural competition to design the national pavilion for the World Expo 2015 in Milan, held under the theme “Feeding the Planet / Energy for Life.” The exhibition addressed urgent global challenges surrounding food and energy demands, driven by the rapid industrialization of society, exponential population growth, and unchecked urban expansion.
In this type of international fair, national pavilions are typically expected to act as containers of wonder, showcasing identity and values through striking, sometimes extravagant displays. However, such events often devolve into a showcase of spectacle architecture—desperate attempts to market a national image through structural acrobatics, overdesign, or architectural illusionism.
Our proposal intentionally diverges from that paradigm. Instead, it embraces silence and austerity, allowing architecture itself to create a meaningful and immersive narrative through spatial experience.
We proposed wood as the sole and dominant material, not only for its renewable and low-cost properties but also due to its national significance in Chile’s economy. The construction expresses technological refinement in the use of wood through precision joinery, laminated elements, and structural optimization. Aesthetic differentiation between interior and exterior is achieved through material treatment: the natural wood finish is preserved inside the inhabited spaces, while the exterior is stained black—evoking the darker tones of bark.
A single standard section measuring 100 mm by 400 mm, arranged in a staggered bond, defines a modular panel system (4 m x 5.5 m) that fully resolves the vertical enclosures. Horizontal spans of up to 14 meters are achieved using composite wood beams anchored to the vertical modules. The horizontal nave’s continuous height of 5.5 meters is punctuated by four vertical prisms rising to 17 meters, housing the pavilion’s primary exhibition spaces.
Each of these four spatial interventions offers a distinct sensory environment that captures the geography, climate, and natural resources of Chile’s diverse territory:
the Atacama Desert (sun)
the Central Valley (earth)
the temperate rainforests (water)
The southern Patagonian region (air)
Through this sequence of immersive atmospheres, the pavilion proposes an experiential journey that celebrates Chile’s geography as a natural reserve for the planet and as a land rich in clean, renewable energy resources.
Client: Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Award: Second Place
Architects: Albert Tidy, Felipe Grallert
Collaborators: Cristóbal Riffo, Ken Qiu Sun
Location: Expo Milano Fairgrounds, Milan, Italy
Built Area: 882 m²
Materials: Laminated wood
Year of Design: 2014