Austrian Expo Pavilion , for the 2015 Milan Expo, Bence Pap and Mario Gasser collaborated on this proposal for the Austrian Pavilion claiming them 4 prize in the international competition. Although it did not win, the entry has a strong conceptual approach and multi-faceted design worthy of recognition in the ever evolving world of architecture.
© Bence Pap | Mario Gasser
Highlighting the local cultural and craft diversity within Australian regions and the area’s diverse topography, the design resembles an ark of sorts. Within this ark not only is there a broad variety of agricultural crops and goods, but there is also a strong showcase for sustainability. The pavilion is organized as a two story building comprised of a pair of elongated volumes.
© Bence Pap | Mario Gasser
The main exhibition is on the first floor while the ground floor is dedicated to amenities and various admin functions. The steel frame construction of the building allows for an internalized fold of the ground granting visitors an easy passage to the main exhibition as well as the articulated folded ceiling along the main axis of circulation. The wood detailing adds to the sense of movement and direction running in long strips throughout the pavilion and ties everything together.
Project info:
Architects: Bence Pap, Mario Gasser
Country: Austrian
Year: 2014
Photographs: Bence Pap | Mario Gasser
Competition: Austrian Pavilion (Milan Expo 2015)
Award: Fourth Place
Project Name: Austrian Pavilion (Milan Expo 2015)
Client: EXPO-Agency of the Economic Ministry, Austria
Structural Engineer: Bollinger & Grohmann, Vienna
Landscape Architects: Roland Barthofer Landscape Architects
Curatorial Consultant: Edek Bartz
Kristin Hoover is an editor at Arch2O and a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. Since joining in July 2014, she has authored over 200 insightful articles covering everything from adaptive reuse and cultural centers to eco-buildings and urban infrastructure . With a passion for architectural storytelling, Kristin skillfully curates and crafts compelling narratives that bring design innovation to life. Her editorial work reflects a broad yet finely honed interest in how architecture intersects with society, technology, and the environment—making her a key voice shaping Arch2O’s explorations of contemporary built form.