Shanghai Daily news

Pavilions presented by the host countries of World Expos are always in the limelight, and the ongoing Expo Zaragoza in Spain is no exception.

Each day in Zaragoza huge crowds queue under the sizzling sun with temperatures often reaching 40 degrees Celsius to enter both the Spain Pavilion and Aragon Pavilion.

From Pablo Picasso to Antonio Gaudi, Spain has never lacked talent in the art field and it seems Spanish designers are never short of innovative ideas.

The Spain and Aragon pavilions, designed by Spaniards, are of different styles and fall into different categories, but they contain the same element - water and sustainable development - which is the theme of the three-month Expo that runs through September 14.

"The Spain and Aragon pavilions are among the most fantastic structures on the site with innovative designs and concepts," said Yu Li, one of the organizers who has worked with World Expo for 10 years.

Located on the banks of the Ebro River, the 25-hectare Expo site presents a world of water.

Stepping into the site, visitors leave the Spanish heat behind as they are taken on an amazing water journey.

Spain Pavilion

Theme: science and creativity

THE facade of the 8,000-square-meter Spain Pavilion is eye-catching and at the same time highly eco-friendly.

The simple wedge-shaped pavilion is held up by hundreds of columns made of clay. Steel pipes embedded in the columns help absorb rain and collect energy.

The pavilion features a novel multimedia "watery" video screened on the roof of a large hall. Visitors are placed in the sea so they can imagine themselves as fish and view the world with the eyes of fish.

They learn about the origin of the world and experience how various pollutants and global warming result in the gradual decline in our eco-system.

"There are no words in the video but everybody understands it," said Yu.

Sections of the exhibition display models, interactive exhibits and shows to give the history of water and explore how Spain, a country frequently suffering from water shortages, balances its resources and makes the best use of water.

Exhibits of water-related devices, cross section of trees and animal fossils that record water and history are also on display.Aragon Pavilion

Theme: water and future

THE Aragon Pavilion is presented by the host region which is an autonomous community located in northeastern Spain.

The pavilion takes the shape of a huge Aragonese wicker basket, embodying the traditional weaving craft of the Aragon people.

The structure consists of glass and micro concrete panels intertwined with white fiberglass, which provides the building with plenty of light. Inside this huge "basket" are nine irregular columns, three of which function as pillars upon which the building is suspended while the other six act as prisms.

They are covered by colored glass that illuminate the inner part of the building. At the same time, these tubular-shaped steel structures house the internal ventilation system and act as skylights as they are hollow and transparent inside.

The 2,000-square-meter pavilion is the largest of the regional pavilions at Expo Zaragoza and probably the plainest one. It has two exhibition halls; there are no high-tech devices in the first section as the exhibition is nature-oriented. But it is still quite unique and striking as it enables visitors to embrace nature.

Pictures depicting the 2,000-year history of Aragon are displayed on walls formed by willow tree branches - a common material used for weaving in the region.

Precious exhibits from ancient times including bronze, religious paintings, ceramic pots as well as statues that record the civilization of Spain are also on display.