The project to urbanize the embankments of the river Ebro in the stretch occupied by the Expo 2008 enclosure comprises a series of six thematic plazas laid out along an avenue parallel to the river. This is a flexible, unitary surface that we call an ecological boulevard, housing a series of thematic plazas to accommodate the various activities of Expo 2008.
Some of the general aspects of the urban organization for expo Zaragoza 2008 come from the criteria that were established in the Director Plan we drafted along with the Grupo Experiencia to obtain the nomination of the city as the venue for this event. This Plan arranged the precinct into two platforms at different levels that were being developed in parallel to the river. The upper one, which would contain the main pavilions, was at city level, while the lower one, which was located in seasonally flooded areas, connected with the river promenade running along the left bank of the River Ebro. This platform would contain the thematic pavilions, which would be dismantled after the exposition.
The specific project that we drafted for the Expo Z’08 developed the arrangement of this lower platform, the river front, the thematic squares where these ephemeral pavilions would sit, the outdoor auditorium and the large public space that linked all of these activities.
The place was conceived as a “garden of water drops” consisting of a sequence of circular spaces intended not only for the various pavilions but also for other uses that gave meaning to them after the end of the event, from small groves to ponds or recreational squares. Much of the interstitial space between the circles was covered with a stretched textile pergola over 10,000 m2 of surface, supported by metal pillars. Its design was specifically created to try to reduce the temperature of the itinerary in more than 10°. In order to achieve this, we used a special fabric and we arranged it in large circular pieces alternating sunny and shadowy areas as not to enclose the place completely.
The river front was treated as an amphitheater on the River from which one could view the night shows at the Expo. By using wood planks, we designed a topography with references to the rising of the River Ebro, making its use compatible between a public space and its sporadic hydraulic activity. A large bench along the river perimeter, the most important geographical location in the exhibition, was placed between both spaces. In the project for this 700-meter-long bench, which we call “ecogeographic”, we partnered with graphic designer Isidro Ferrer.
