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The Jordan Pavilion at Expo 2000 (Part 2)©
**continued from previous article due to length**
The design team of the Jordan Pavilion wanted to leave the visitors with a lasting impression and they felt the best way to do this was to give the spatial experience a theatrical, dramatic quality. They achieved this by choosing components which would engage the public, encouraging them to become active participants in the experience rather than passive observers. The main components of the Pavilion are the wall , the scaffolding, the gallery, the steps, and the mosaic. The components continually make reference to the metaphor of the dig through material use and actual imagery. One of the most interesting references is the contrast of the permanency of the stone wall which alludes to a ruin, and the temporary quality of the scaffolding which alludes to the type of temporary construction one might find at a dig. Additionally some of the objects represent actual artifacts of great historical significance (see Ein Ghazal Statuettes) found at sites throughout Jordan. ACCESS/CIRCULATION Because of the use of the dig as a metaphor for the space, the pavilion is not a typical physical structure that rises from the ground but instead a space into which the user descends. A large imposing wall of stone blocks encloses the space. Upon entry the visitor arrives at the gallery space where he/she gets a view of the space below. The visitor then descends into that space which is meant to be seen as an urban public space. Despite the rigid grid the objects are placed within, there is not a rigid path of travel and the user decides how to experience the space which adds to each user's overall experience. Access to the lower level is provided by scaffold-type steps. An elevator at one side of the site also provides handicap access to the lower level. Although the Pavilion is primarily intended as an outdoor space it also includes some indoor spaces such as a VIP lounge, a retail shop, and of course an Arabic fast food outlet to complete the experience. The Mosaic The mosaic is the main feature of the pavilion. Each object within is of varying heights on a 90cm X 90cm base. The subjects also vary, from ordinary to extraordinary but in some way offering users insight into Jordan through glimpses of Jordanian life, culture, spirituality and nature. All the objects are made of different materials for outdoor use. Some objects are even at the finish level so that circulation occurs over them.
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The copyright of the article The Jordan Pavilion at Expo 2000 (Part 2)
in Islamic Architecture is owned by Alia F. Hasan. Permission to republish The Jordan Pavilion at Expo 2000 (Part 2)
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