Belgian glass from AGC shines at World Expo

Their attention is captured by the entrance to the pavilion and the International Polar Foundation's “Ice Cube.”



Entrance made of Glassiled

The entrance in the colours of the Belgian flag is made of Glassiled (glass with light-emitting diodes embedded in it), with black glass containing yellow and red LEDs. At the side of the entrance .be sparkles next to the world map, while the entrance roof is animated on both sides so that visitors are treated to a moving Glassiled display both while entering the pavilion and while sitting in the restaurant on the mezanine. Conix Architects that designed the pavilion went for creativity to capture the attention of visitors and welcome them in a very special atmosphere. “Glassiled is fully at home in Shanghai, the 'City of Light', and places the emphasis on the innovative, world-renowned Belgian glass industry,” says architect and project leader Fabien Dautrebande.



Glass icebergs

Two glass icebergs 4 metres high and separated by a crevasse evoke the polar region. The structure of the ice layers and the reflective icy surface are simulated by a special digital printing process on the surface of the Artlite Digital glass. The first iceberg shows the Princess Elisabeth Antarctic Station, while the second features the Polaris climate change observatory. On one side of the crevasse is a glass projection screen, while on the other side real ice is melting. The display is intended to make people aware of the dangers of global warming. “AGC subscribes to our vision of sustainable development and the role of science in evolving towards a low-carbon society,” says Thierry Touchais of the International Polar Foundation. “The ongoing development of energy-saving and generating glass contributes towards a better environment.”

The innovative Glassiled and Artilite Digital types of glass are developed by the AGC R&D Centre.



For technical info see www.yourglass.be

High-resolution pics can be downloaded from http://www.yourglass.com/photolib/press/Shangai2010.html Links: www.polarfoundation.org , www.shanghaiexpo2010.be