Designed for the World Expo 2012 to be held in Yeosu, Korea, the “Water Cube Pavilion” from MVRDV depicts the power and beauty of oceans, for the pure visible water block design looks as if it is extracted straight from the sea. Based on the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast,” the Water Cube features a facade finished in four layers of glass, which is filled with water pumped from the sea to maintain the flow throughout the structure. Using natural light to illuminate the interior during daytime, the structure creates water space to surround the visitors with water. While on the other hand UV penetration and solar cells on outer skin generate renewable energy to light the structure at night.
The surrounding wall also features a number of water basins that resembles different seas, oceans and continents portrayed on the world map. Resting the roof on 5-meter tall beams, spanning from the supporting web to the North Pole, i.e. the center of the roof, the facade of the building integrate elements to control the temperature of the basins as well.
