Megastructure Expo 2010

The Landmark of the Expo Shanghai 2010 is the central Boulevard. Via the round 1 km long and 100 m wide axis, which stretches across the entire site to the Huangpu river, the visitors are guided to the various national and theme-based pavilions. It forms the central entrance area and provides 350,000 m2 effective area for numerous facilities for the exposition. The Expo Boulevard is covered by a membrane roofing with a total surface of 65,000 m2 with a free span of almost 100 m. The roof is carried by 19 interior and 31 exterior masts and by six funnel shaped framework shells consisting of steel and glass. It has a height of 35 m and a free projection of 70 m. These so called sun valleys direct natural light into the basements. The Expo Boulevard is one of five buildings, which will remain after the world exposition to form the centre of a new urban district of Shanghai in the long run.