Shanghai Daily news

The French are famous for style and sensuality and the France Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai showcases "The Sensual City" that stimulates, gratifies and soothes the senses.

French gardens, French food, French wine, French luxury goods, French fashion, French cinema, French impressionism, French innovation and modern living - it's all there in France's Expo pavilion, "The Sensual City."

The theme of World Expo 2010 Shanghai is "Better City, Better Life," and to the French, a better life is also a more beautiful and pleasing one. In designing the city of the future, let us be sensible, by all means, but let us not forget our senses.

French masterpieces will be exhibited.

"The Sensual City" promises a sensual experience, as well as one that makes us think about what a "good life" really should mean.

Classical French gardens are major elements in the design by architect Jacque Ferrier who notes that both China and France are known for their long history and culture. Both share a love of gardens as works of art, and the spectacular gardens of both are quite different.

"We hope to display French-style gardens to visitors at Shanghai Expo, particularly Chinese visitors," says Ferrier. Traditional, classical French gardens, also known as formal gardens, are highly ordered and geometrical.

The 6,000-square-meter France Pavilion on the Huangpu River will feature a large garden and water pool in the center of the structure, as well as water outside. The square building, its walls covered by plants, will appear to be floating in water.

The most advanced, environmentally friendly construction materials will be used; the pavilion will also be self-sustaining in clean energy.

Two French restaurants, each with distinctive cuisine, will offer the best of French cooking and allow visitors to appreciate nature. Fresh air, sunshine, flowing water, singing birds, fragrant flowers - and marvelous food.

In "The Sensual City," visitors will see, smell, taste, touch, and hear the glamour of France.

A sensual city is a place where people meet, talk and experience a pleasant journey, and the concept of a sensual city should prompt visitors' responses and aspirations, designers said.

The design of the pavilion is simple, while it embodies the concept of balance that is important in architecture, according to Ferrier. It will provide a tranquil and comfortable environment for dialogue and cultural exchange.

Designers and exhibitors will downplay the application of conspicuous high-tech when unfolding their shows, as they try to achieve a humane, harmonious and comfortable site.

France will showcase its cultural heritage as well as energy conservation and sustainable development. It will present innovative ideas in urban construction and planning and its luxury product industry.

There will be no air conditioners; instead, ventilation and a system that controls temperature according to the number of visitors. Fountains and ponds will help cool the space.

About 10 million visitors are expected to visit the 50 million-euro (US$79 million) "Sensual City." Half will be financed by the French government, half by the private sector.

Jacques Ferrier Architectures will team up with Chinese architecture institutes, including the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University, to work out details of the pavilion's master plan.

Construction on "The Sensual City" will start at the end of this year.