UK Pavilion, Exhibition pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010, China
The UK Pavilion is an exhibition building created in 2010 for the Shanghai Expo to represent the United Kingdom. The structure, popularly known as the Seed Cathedral, rises about 20 meters high and contains around 60,000 transparent acrylic rods, each topped with real seeds collected from the Kunming Institute of Botany.
The building came about after Britain's government selected Heatherwick Studio's design through an international competition in 2007. It was specifically built for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 to showcase British innovation and values on the global stage.
Before it opened, local visitors called the structure 'The Dandelion,' reflecting how the design connected with traditional symbols of luck and natural cycles. This spontaneous naming shows how the building immediately struck a chord with people who saw it.
The building was busy on most days and featured multiple levels, including an underground area with environmental exhibits. The space around the pavilion was landscaped with artificial grass, offering room to linger and watch others pass through.
The building used a special lighting technique where the transparent acrylic rods channeled natural daylight inside during the day, while an internal lighting system made the entire structure glow at night. This shifting light display completely transformed how the pavilion looked depending on when you visited.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
