Greenroofs.com Project of the Week: 7/27/15

Belarusian Pavilion ‘Wheel of Life’
at Expo Milano 2015
Milan, Italy
10,764 sf. Greenroof

Project Description & Details

Expo Milano 2015 is the Universal Exhibition that Milan, Italy, is hosting from May 1 to October 31, 2015 with the theme: ‘Feeding the Planet. Energy for life.’ The 1.1 million square meter global showcase with more than 140 participating countries will show the best of their technology that offers a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone, while respecting the Planet and its equilibrium. The Belarusian Pavilion demonstrates the efforts made by the country in its quest to reduce famine, improve water quality, preserve nature and promote biodiversity. Its ‘Wheel of Life’  concept stands out from most others due to its enormous wooden wheel structure, which rises high above a green hill.

Designed by Kola Zhytstsya, the Belarusian Pavilion represents its richest natural, cultural and economical potential as well as Belarusian hospitality. As decoration for the steep hill, Belarus opted for an exuberantly flowering 1,000 m2 Sempergreen Sedum herb blanket Type T. With waterproofing from Sika, this highly biodiverse vegetation blanket contains six varieties of Sedum and twenty-five different herbs. The lightweight growth substrate was provided by Urbanscape Green Solutions. The plants grow on a coconut fiber mat with plastic reinforcements at the top and bottom, making the blanket highly suitable for use on very steep surfaces. Each Sedum herb blanket is covered for at least 95% when delivered. This way, the ground cover transitioning into a sloping surface immediately obtains a lush and colorful appearance. Expo Milano 2015 expects 20 million visitors to find out about, and taste, the world’s best dishes, while discovering the best of the agri-food and gastronomic traditions of each of the exhibitor countries.

Find more photos and additional information about this project in The International Greenroof & Greenwall Projects Database.

Year: 2015
Owner: Republic of Belarus
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Location: Milan, Italy
Building Type: Commercial
Type: Extensive
System: Single Source Provider
Size: 10,764 sq.ft.
Slope: 70%
Access: Inaccessible, By Ticket

Designers/Manufacturers of Record:

Waterproofing Membrane: Sika
Growth Substrate: Urbanscape Green Solutions
Pre-vegetated Mats: Sedum Herb Blanket Type T, Sempergreen®
Installation: Climagrün
Architects/Development Team: Igor Kozioulkov, Dzmitry Beliakovich, Aliaksandr Shypilau, of Kola Zhytstsya (Kolya Shizza)
General Contractor: Stahlbau Pichler srl

Note: Don’t miss reading about one of the Urbanscape Green Solutions, one of this project’s Manufacturers of Record at: The “Greenroof & Greenwall Directory Company of the Week” Feature is Back! July 24, 2015: Urbanscape Green Solutions.

Project of the Week Video Feature

Watch the Belarusian Pavilion ‘Wheel of Life’ at Expo Milano 2015 Project of the Week Video below or see it on our GreenroofsTV channel on YouTube:

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Love the Earth, Plant a Roof!

~ Linda V.