Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion in Spain as Symbol of Zaragoza Expo 2008 by Zaha Hadid

Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion is a symbol of Expo 2008 built on Ebro River and a British architecture named Zaha Hadid has experimented with this amazing concept covered by glass fiber concrete from Austrian Company. This stunning concept is 275 meters long and its outer skin has around 29,000 triangles made of innovative sustainable material. The structure of this pavilion promises to be the world class because of its multi level exhibition area focusing on water sustainability. Zaha Hadid has managed to create this magnificent gladiolus shape with a natural air conditioning.

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid


The Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion is organized around 4 main objects, or “pods” that perform both as structural elements and as spatial enclosures. The Bridge Pavilion design stems from the detailed examination and research into the potential of a diamond shaped section – which offers both structural and programming properties. As in the case of space-frame structures, a diamond section represents a rational way if distributing forces along a surface.

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid

Underneath the floor plate, a resulting triangular pocket space can be used to run utilities. Floors inside each pod are located at the Expo principal levels: +201.5m (the soffit of the bridge is at +200m, flood protection minimum level of the Ebro River at the location of the Bridge Pavilion) +203m, +206m and +207.5m for the upper level.

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid

The diamond section has also been extruded along a slightly curved path. The extrusion of this rhombus section along different paths has generated the four separate ‘pods’ of the Bridge Pavilion. The stacking and interlocking of these truss elements (the ‘pods’), satisfies two specific criteria: optimizing the structural system, and allowing for a natural differentiation of the interiors, where each pod corresponds to a specific exhibition space.

zaragoza bridge pavilion by zaha hadid

The pods are stacked according to precise criteria – aimed at reducing the section of the bridge as much as possible where the span is longer (approximately 185m from the island in the middle of the river to the right bank), and enlarging it where the span is shorter (85m from the island to the Expo riverbank). One long pod spans from the right riverbank to the island, where the other three are grafted into it, spanning from island to left bank.

This interlocking of the pods has given the design many exciting possibilities. Interiors become complex spaces, where visitors move from pod to pod though small in-between spaces that act as filters – or buffer zones. These zones diffuse the sound and visual experience from one exhibition space to the next, allowing for a clearer understanding of the installation content within each pod. The identity of each pod remains thoroughly readable inside the pavilion, almost performing as a three-dimensional orientation device.

Spatial concern is one of the main drivers of this project. Each zone within the building has its own spatial identity; their nature varies from complete interior spaces focused on the exhibition, to open spaces with strong visual connections to the Ebro river and the Expo.

Natural surfaces have been investigated when designing the Pavilion’s exterior surfaces. Shark scales are fascinating paradigms both for their visual appearance and for their performance. Their pattern can easily wrap around complex curvatures with a simple system of rectilinear ridges. For the Bridge Pavilion, this proves to be functional, visually appealing and economically convenient.

The building’s envelope plays an essential role in defining its relation to the surrounding environment and atmospheric variations. The project has been designed to allow its interior to be thoroughly enlivened by the effect of atmospheric agents, such as the Tramontana wind blowing along the Ebro and, the strength of Zaragoza’s sunshine.

During the Expo, a single weathering layer will enclose the building to protect it from rain. This Shark scale skin will be generated by a complex pattern of simple overlapping
shingles. Some shingles can rotate around a pivot, allowing for temporary opening or closing of part of the façade. The pattern of shingles overlapping each other gives the Bridge Pavilion the widest variety of natural light via several degrees of aperture sizes: from rays piercing through tiny apertures – to wide, full size openings. Large apertures are located on the lower level, in correspondence with either end of the bridge, allowing for the greatest degree of visual contact with the river and the Expo.

Designer : Zaha Hadid Architects via Dezeen



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4 thoughts on “Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion in Spain as Symbol of Zaragoza Expo 2008 by Zaha Hadid

  1. I won't recommend anyone coming to Zaragoza, a city that is becoming even more unhabitable thanks to this Exposition. This Expo has nothing to do with sustainable development; it has everything to do with unscrupulous businesses.

    Expo Zaragoza 2008 is unsustainable in terms of ecological, economic, social, environmental, legal and cultural. The Ebro river ecosystem is being destroyed: cutting down thousand of trees, irresponsible dredgings in order to allow ships sail, cutting the bottom of the Stone Bridge medieval archs, etc.

    The experience of previous universal exhibitions (and that of Zaragoza is not: it is `international', ie, a second class exposition) and the most recent Forum in Barcelona, showed that these events are ruinous to the Treasury, but very profitable for construction companies and real state speculators.

    Politicians have been lying with a straight face for years, in order to get population's support for this project. However, people is increasingly aware that they've been cheated.

    I could go on and on. Please visit http://www.expo-no.es , where there is a lot of information (mostly in Spanish, but there is also some in English).

  2. 2 bad we cant see these type Designs & arch in the US or Canada.

    Very Wild, organic & unique

    Come ply your trade in the US (any state)

    Love your works ( all those in Tuvie alone for Arch).

    Come to the US.

  3. To whom it may concern:

    I am a PHD student from Taiwan.

    I intend to cite photos from your website in my paper. I am asking for your permission to use them. I will cite the resource of the photo accordingly. Your prompt reply is greatly appreciated. Please reply ASAP because I have a deadline to meet (2/27)

    Sincerely,

    Jeanne Lee

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