SEVILLE, SPAIN (1986)
The history of world expositions demonstrates that most of them left behind ruins: roads, buildings, bridges, monorails, etc. The project was designed to meet the urbanistical requirements of Seville after 1992. Covering several hundred acres of an island in the Guadalquivir River this project won the First Prize in an invitational competition for its unique solution to this problem. The master plan proposes three large lagoons where most of the activity takes place. All the exhibition pavilions float. After the exhibition finishes, they can be taken away, leaving only a magnificent garden park that would belong to the city long after the exposition is gone. This approach totally avoids having to construct in-ground foundations and the last-minute rush to build monorails, extra roads and facilities. Against this backdrop, the only buildings erected are those, which ultimately will become a much needed administrative center for the University of Seville. The water symbolizes the indispensable communications link between Spain and the New World. The grounds are cooled by numerous shade trees and by cold-water mist dispensed from arbors high above the ground. A significant departure from traditional exposition design, this plan resonates with the theme of the 1992 fair "The Era of Discovery" and its emphasis on innovation throughout history.
