February 22 2010

The Thomas Heatherwick designed centrepiece of the UK pavilion at the World Expo site in Shanghai is now taking shape, a giant pin cushion.

Comprising 60,000 acrylic rods which sway in motion with the wind the 7.5m long tendrils act as fibre optic filaments, illuminating the pavilion interior with natural light.

By night a role reversal will see the rods emit interior light to fashion a glowing spectacle.

Sitting within a faceted landscape of open space, slope and shelter the vicinity affords provides facility for public events.

No mere light show these rods will also display the largest collection of wild plant seeds in the world, sourced from Kew’s Millenium Seed Bank partnership, to create a ‘seed cathedral’.

The pavilion was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to demonstrate creativity and innovation in the UK.

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