‘One Ocean’ Thematic Pavilion by Soma

The ocean is at once an endless surface that stretches from one horizon to the other, and yet also a compartmentalised grid, divided by name, geography, politics and tectonics. It is vast on the surface, yet also very deep. Korea itself is a marine nation, a peninsula surrounded on three sides by an ocean that has supported its people, culture and industries for thousands of years. But, the ocean, of course, has a deeper significance: it is the crucible of all life on earth; unfathomably rich in its ecosystems, and responsible for the weather patterns that make (and keep) our planet the way it is.

This plain/profound duality is suffused throughout the ‘One Ocean’ Thematic Pavilion for EXPO 2012, to be held in Yeosu, South Korea. The Thematic Pavilion is one of the major facilities of EXPO 2012: an iconic piece of architecture designed by Austrian firm, soma and located at the heart of the site. A standout feature that proclaims the objectives of the exposition – to harmonise development and preservation in the context of the ocean – while setting a symbolic landmark in both the exposition master plan and the city of Yeosu. The Pavilion was described by the EXPO selection jury as “an imaginative and well-developed area [with] a marvellous flow of space into the building between the two folds of exhibits”. They praised the space for its flexibility, for it has the ability to accommodate larger crowds and events, while being easily adaptable for any future use after the EXPO.

This future use is inextricably linked to the concept of a Blue Economy which pervades the EXPO 2012 agenda, and the planned transformation of the site once the exposition is over. The Blue Economy concept suggests that as we are faced with the destruction of both our oceans and our coast – economic crisis, social gap and conflict, global warming and energy depletion – the only place left to turn for answers is the ocean itself. For the ocean is not only a source of non-living resources such as oil and tidal power, it also offers high added values and employment opportunities in the marine industries, including marine transportation, naval architecture, leisure, and entertainment. As such, the three main approaches that will come out of the exposition are the promotion of urban activities using the existing port facilities of Yeosu; to recover natural coastlines from the concrete artificial coastline; and to have the polluted area of the exhibition site recovered for good use.

From above, the Thematic Pavilion, like the ocean at the same angle, appears to have an endless surface. But within the Pavilion, when viewed from a state of immersion, it displays a notably intense depth. The main exhibition spaces and foyer are created by continuous surfaces that twist from vertical to horizontal orientation, while continuity and transitions on the exterior broadcast the theme onto all aspects of the building. The Pavilion itself seems to grow out of the ground like a ray leaving its seabed hiding spot: an artificial roof landscape with gardens, scenic paths, and a view across its namesake: the ocean. Towards the sea, a conglomeration of solid vertical cones defines a new meandering coastline: a soft edge continually negotiating and renegotiating the seashore that renders the ocean no longer endless.

The One Ocean Pavilion is, of course, but one part of the exposition master plan, which also encompasses the ‘Big O’,

the Coastal Triangle, and the Expo Digital Gallery. Firstly, the Big O will overcome the limited exhibition space by creating a new exhibition space in the sea, with waterfront decks and connecting footbridges. The Coastal Triangle will be an exhibition and recreation space, engaging simultaneously the land and the ocean, humans and nature. And finally, we come to the

Expo Digital Gallery. The main avenue of the site at 600 m long and 30 metres wide, it will be the world’s first ubiquitous computing avenue, exhibition area, streetscape and digital technology space in one, and will provide a constant stream of visitor-tailored information in what is intended to be a ‘Language Barrier Free’ zone (where everyone in this connected plant speaks the language of technology).

The international community will use EXPO 2012 to develop the Blue Economy paradigm, pairing preservation with development; and then once the exposition is over, the site will be reworked into a marine research and development centre for the Blue Eco-polis.

So, like the ocean, the fruits of EXPO 2012 could conceivably carry on forever, in the figurative sense if nothing more.

IMAGES: Courtesy of Soma

1. The ‘One Ocean’ Thematic Pavilion is an icon within EXPO 2012 of the finest and most advanced architectural design, technology, engineering and IT Korea has to offer. 2&3. The exhibition site extends out into the ocean, reclaiming and adding purpose to the manmade shoreline. 4&5. Being inside the Thematic Pavilion is akin to being immersed in the sea: a deep, flowing, almost organic space shaped by curves and waves.