States of Architecture in the Twenty-First Century

Expo 2010 Shanghai was the most ambitious world exposition to date with more than 70 million visitors. It boasted an unprecedented collection of pavilions that represented the ambitions of individual nations as well a collective vision for cities in the new millennium. Together, the buildings constitute a cross section of contemporary trends in architecture, showcasing a full spectrum of cutting edge technology, building materials, and design sensibilities. This book captures this extraordinary architectural event with the eloquent and probing photography of Nic Lehoux. The thorough documentation includes detailed photographic accounts of the various architectural features and the public spaces and landscapes that bind them into a total and unique environment. The accompanying essay situates the event in a long standing tradition of world expositions while underscoring the particular geographic, cultural, and political aspects of the Chinese context that shape the Shanghai Expo and its thematic orientation.