SAIC-GM Pavilion Highlights
SAIC-GM Pavilion Architecture Highlights
The SAIC-GM Pavilion is located in the western part of the Expo 2010 site (along the
west bank of the Huangpu River). It covers an area of 6,000 square meters.
The SAIC-GM Pavilion for World Expo 2010 Shanghai received the Most Excellent Public
Building Prize from the biannual Architecture Creation Awards. It was selected from
among 212 submissions following five months of careful review and assessment, and
was chosen for its unique design concept, and human and environmentally friendly
facilities.
The SAIC-GM Pavilion design and fluid lines of its exterior structure were inspired by
nature and an automobile body. Symbolizing the road to the future, the spiral design of
the pavilion conveys promise and progressiveness, outlining a scientific road that links
the present with the future.
Automotive elements are fully integrated into the design of the pavilion. The automaking
process was used substantially in the production of the structure and curtain wall.
About 3,000 recyclable steel components are being used in the pavilion, which features a
three-dimensional curved structure. Thanks to the use of 3-D computer modeling, the
amount of steel used for the pavilion was reduced by 500 tons. The actual amount of
steel used was 1,400 tons. The main pavilion is 55 meters in diameter. The pavilion's steel
structure received the Golden Steel Prize in recognition of its quality.
Consisting of over 4,000 curved square–shaped aluminum panels of different sizes, the
curtain wall of the pavilion has adopted manufacturing technology for digitally controlled
material feeding, pressure forming and spray painting. The gap between aluminum panels
is less than 5 millimeters. Through the application of projection and LED, the pavilion's
facade will be able to change dramatically with the movement of viewers.
Angel's eye: Embedded in the facade of the pavilion will be a 300-square-meter LED
screen upon which videos, pictures and information related to the car culture will be
shown.
Mobile stage: A large platform has been arranged at the pavilion for outdoor displays
and performances.
Window to the future: 3-D modeling technology was adopted to ensure the accuracy of
the shape of the "window to the future". Visitors will be able to feast their eyes on the
beautiful view of the Huangpu River and the Expo 2010 site in Pudong. Across the
Huangpu River they will see the China National Pavilion and Performance Center for
the Arts.
Seeing light without seeing lights: The interior lighting scheme will hide lighting fixtures
that may undermine the overall architectural beauty of the pavilion. With the
environment in mind, energy-saving lights and LED are being used for curtain l wall
lighting. Since all lighting will be intelligently controlled by computers, lights will
immediately switch off automatically when not needed. To guarantee the separation
of displays and performance areas, patented door technology is being used in
the automotive pavilion. The pavilion will include the first soundproof door used
for a theater.
Human-oriented design was a priority. Sun-proofing and a mist-spraying system are
being used to keep down temperatures. Rubber-paved walking surfaces are being
adopted to ensure orderliness, comfort and safety for those lining up to visit the pavilion.
Advanced tire recycling technology is being used for the outdoor plaza due to its low
cost, variety, environmental friendliness, safety and ease of use.
After the completion of the main steel structure on August 26, 2009, workers began
installing the SAIC-GM Pavilion's outside curtain wall. This work was completed in
January 2010.
SAIC-GM Pavilion Show and Experience Highlights
The pavilion will be divided into Pre-Show, Main Show and Post-Show areas. In the
Pre-Show area, visitors will learn about urban transformation and the automobile's
development over the past 20 years and take a look 20 years into the future at the
challenges and solutions envisioned by SAIC and GM. In the Main Show area, visitors will
sit in unique motion seats to view a movie projected on a 38-meter surround screen.
They will see and feel the infinite possibilities that the motor vehicle will offer in the year
2030 and how They will it will bring people closer together. This will lead to an even
bigger surprise at the end when all of the virtual vehicles come alive on stage. In the
Post-area,visitors will get to see up close the concept cars displayed in the movie. The
area will have eight sections: Show welcome corridor, traffic hub, satellite city, central
business district, apartment life, window to the future, future outlook,and souvenir sales.
The theme of the movie, "Freedom of Mobility Brings People Closer Together", is
the story of "Xing" – or a new form of personal mobility – in the city of Shanghai in
the year 2030.It tells how the automobile of the future will change our lives.
The theater's 144-degree curved elevation movable screen will be 6.5 meters high and
38 meters long.
Automatic seat sensor technology is being use for the first time in China in the motion
seats in the theater. The maximum tilt angle of these specially developed seats
will be 29 degrees and the maximum speed will be 15 degrees per second. With
the aid of precise computer controls, the matching time between the motion seats and
the movie will be as precise as a millisecond. Through the tilting and vibration of the
seats, the audience will physically interact with the movie.
The main movie was filmed with a 4K high-definition RED camera. The CG effects were
done by PIXOMONDO, of the movie "2012". Post-production and integration were
done by PPS, led by Hong Kong movie master See-Yuen Ng. The lighting effects were
done by the DI engineering team, which also worked on the "Harry Potter" movie
series. The theme song and score were written by Hong Kong Film Award winner Kong
Wing Chan.
C.T. Cao supervised the movie's creation, Kuang Shen was the movie's director, and
Zhou Huajian participated in the movie and the creation of its theme song.
The EN-V concept vehicle arrived at the SAIC-GM Pavilion on March 12. It will be
demonstrated at the pavilion, and will appear in the movie and stage show.
SAIC-GM Pavilion Operations Highlights
Over a period of 184 days, the SAIC-GM Pavilion is expected to receive 3 million visitors
- or 4 percent of Expo 2010 visitors.
The SAIC-GM Pavilion will adopt a mixed reservation system to manage the flow of
visitors, with 20 percent of tickets available by making a reservation at the pavilion,
20 percent available to those who queue on site, and the remaining 60 percent available
through online booking. The combination of online booking, on-site reservation and
on-site queuing will effectively reduce the waiting time for visitors and ensure that those
who book online will be able to visit the pavilion at their preferred time.
The Pavilion has a user-friendly online reservation system. Go to the official Web site of
SAIC-GM Pavilion (www.our2030.com) and provide your name, email address and cell
phone number two days in advance to make reservation online. You can enter the
Pavilion through green channel by simply printing out your reservation ticket.
A 0.4-micrometer mist-spraying system in the queuing and waiting area of the pavilion
will keep temperatures down; ensuring visitors have a comfortable waiting environment.
Special passageways, elevators, and seats for the disabled will ensure their enjoyment of
the pavilion.
Inspired by the pavilion theme, the main movie (“2030, Xing!”) and the new energy
vehicles showcased, souvenirs will demonstrate the design philosophy of being fun,
fashionable and free. Souvenirs will be offered in multiple categories including creativity,
childhood joy, tasteful decoration, commemoration, lifestyle and environmental
protection.
