Swiss Pavilion EXPO 2017: call for projects
From 10th June to 10th September 2017, the world will come together at the international Expo in Astana (Kazakhstan) to explore and discuss “Future Energy”. Presence Switzerland (PRS) and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) have embarked on a strategic partnership to create a “swissnex mobile” devoted to connecting Swiss science, education and innovation with global experts and peers at the Swiss Pavilion. swissnex mobile will leverage Kazakhstan’s pivotal position between Europe, Asia and Russia, offering our exhibiting partners visibility at the Expo and beyond, as well as a platform to make international connections.
The Swiss Pavilion in Astana
Message:
Future Energy Powered by You
Topic:
The Swiss Pavilion in Astana will seek to explore individuals’ everyday interaction with energy. By means of a fun and interactive exhibition, visitors should explore their relationship with energy, get a sense of their own power to use energy in a smart and efficient ways, and learn how they can contribute to a sustainable green future.
At the Swiss Pavilion, cleantech stakeholders, designers, universities, research institutions and exhibitors receive a platform to present both their pragmatic and spectacular projects and displays. Such innovative Swiss solutions, projects and exhibits can relate to both everyday life and larger cutting-edge applications.
Kazakhstan’s Central Asian location and research landscape will attract an engaged international audience, including high-level delegations from all over the world, for our Swiss partners wishing to gain visibility, or looking to broaden their international connections.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, our swissnex mobile will provide our partners with a platform for workshops, supplementary (temporary or thematic) exhibitions, joint lectures, pitching contests, etc.
Exhibition:
The permanent exhibition at the Swiss Pavilion will be structured along the 4 chapters outlined below in the visitor’s experience. The total space for the exhibition amounts to 460m2, with a ceiling-height of 8m. The examples are thought as a guideline and should by no means limit the creativity of our prospective partners. In act 5, the swissnex mobile living lab (100m2), we are still very open with regards to format, additional themes and private-public partnerships. Act 6 (75m2) is an exclusive space, aimed at a specific target audience of experts and professionals
Visitor’s Experience:
ACT 1) Waiting to enter the Swiss Pavilion – first impression of Swiss innovation and design
Catches the visitors’ attention and creates a first insight into Swiss innovation and design; maybe even offers a simple activity to help pass the time in the queue. Visitors join the queue in a covered atrium which is shared by neighbouring European pavilions.
Possible contributions by Swiss partners:
* The façade of the Swiss Pavilion (visible technology which allows a degree of interaction)
* Technologies to manage the entrance space of the pavilion (façade, floor, doors, etc.)
* Educational entertainment for waiting visitors
Examples: A façade made of beautiful PV modules allows visitors to charge their smartphones. A fun mobile phone application allows visitors to discover new technologies to reduce domestic energy consumption.
ACT 2) Individual Energy Production to launch a film presenting Switzerland
Acquaintance with Switzerland through a short film; get a sense of what energy is. Groups of visitors enter a darkened room and are invited by a member of staff to produce the energy which is needed to discover Switzerland. Having manually produced enough energy, an introductory film starts. The film begins by showing Switzerland in all its alpine glory, before taking the auditor slowly into its cities. All the while, the film describes Switzerland’s approach to energy and how this links up with our global environmental challenges. Towards the end, the film focuses on the role of the individual in creating a sustainable future. Visitors are now keen to learn more about Switzerland and the difference their behaviour can make.
Possible contributions by Swiss partners:
* Activities which enable visitors to manually produce energy
* Content of the film
Examples: High-tech Swiss-made batteries store the manually produced energy. Activities which generate electricity (ex. cycling, moving, treadmill, slide, etc.). Film excerpts of a landscape with high-tech wind turbines, PV modules, dams, or a virtual (3D)-trip through a particular Swiss landscape on an electro bike.
ACT 3) Individual Energy Consumption (central part of permanent exhibition)
Having achieved a feeling for energy, the screen raises and opens a giant Swiss high-tech chalet, where the audience can measure its energy consumption, how they engage with it day in day out, and learn ways how to reduce consumption. Oversized
domestic objects (sockets, fridges, computer, heating, stereo system,) grab attention and provoke reflection on their importance. Each element gives insight into new technologies. They equally communicate relevant statistics and educate the audience on the difference they can make.
Possible contributions by Swiss partners:
* Visible technology of giant Swiss chalet (technology must be visible and enable/encourage discussions)
* Visible architecture used in construction of chalet (walls, floor, doors, etc.).
Examples: Showcase Switzerland’s strengths in energy efficient buildings, domestic appliances which reduce energy consumption, efficient grids and energy storage solutions, mobility solutions, effective waste management, games and activities which help individuals measure energy consumptions and empower them with strategies to reduce it.
ACT 4) Individual and Community (climax of permanent exhibition)
Heaving learnt what each and every one of us can do as individuals, the final part of the exhibition broadens the scope by illustrating the impact the individual has when he/she becomes part of a like-minded group. While the individuals’ contribution will by necessity always remain small, many individuals together can fundamentally change our energy future. This section focuses on the main message of the pavilion: future energy makes a truly substantial difference when individuals become a community. This section works mostly with visuals and art in order to make its point. It is therefore the visual climax of a visit to the Swiss Pavilion.
* Exhibits, designs, activities which highlight the role of the individual within a community/group
* Artistic and visually spectacular concepts which form the climax of the Swiss Pavilion
Examples: Each visitor makes a resolution of what he/she will change. When enough resolutions are made, something beautiful, surprising, even emotional happens.
ACT 5) swissnex mobile - Living Lab
This is the moment of reflection and discovery. Having learnt a lot about the importance of individual behaviour and new technologies, visitors enter a space of temporary exhibits, where the technological future is presented and where international academics and scientists debate and share their ideas.
Possible contributions by Swiss partners:
* Temporary exhibits presenting Future Energy in greater detail
* Discussions, panels, workshops on Future Energy
* Workshops where visitors can build something to play with, to help them measure or reduce their consumption.
ACT 6) VIP Lounge (exclusive access only)
Connect with professionals, experts and thought leaders in an energising, yet comfortable and stylish setting. The lounge is furnished with Swiss design elements. Catering is likewise a selection of Swiss cuisine and gastronomy. The lounge reiterates elements of the exhibition of the preceding acts of the pavilion, ex. some oversized furniture and small temporary exhibits.
Possible contributions by Swiss partners:
* Temporary exhibitions in the VIP lounge
* Oversized elements which relate to the exhibition
Example: Swiss luxury design element which includes technology (smart luxury furniture)
Your opportunities
* Gain international traction as a leading academic and/or creative Swiss institution in the field of “Future Energy”
* Possibility to get connected with “Future Energy” players beyond Kazakhstan, thanks to our network of science counsellors and swissnex in China, Russia, South Korea and more.
* Successful formats and exhibits can enter Presence Switzerland’s network and gain further visibility, both physically and virtually, at Embassies to communicate Switzerland’s position as an innovation leader
We are looking for exhibits, projects, activities or installations, which...
* … highlight Switzerland’s position as one of the most innovative and competitive countries
* … communicate Switzerland’s role in creating a greener economy
* … engage audiences in fun, interactive, thought-provoking ways
* … inspire the audience to change their behaviour
* … could be transferred to future international projects by Presence Switzerland
* … look to connect / already have a connection with Central Asia
* … allow the audience to take something Swiss home with them
* … are or can become public-private partnerships
Costs
* Financing is based on in-kind contributions from our partners (i.e. providing exhibits, technology, or activities available). Cost of integration into the exhibition is taken over by the Swiss Pavilion
* If a higher degree of visibility and hospitality options are desired, sponsoring opportunities can be discussed with Presence Switzerland
Next steps
* Please submit your projects, concepts, ideas by 10st April via e-mail. These can be for one or for several acts of the exhibition
* Projects do not necessarily have to be completed; we are happy to look at ideas which can still be developed, adapted and completed in time for the Expo
* If you have any questions, please to not hesitate to get in touch (see contact details below)
* We will select projects and/or concepts by April 22nd. We will then hire a general contractor and scenographer to design and build the pavilion, integrating the element we have selected.
For submissions, questions and comments please get in touch:
Philippe Roesle
Project manager swissnex mobile
Swiss Pavilion Expo 2017 Astana
Presence Switzerland / swissnex mobile Bundesgasse 32; 3003 Bern
E-Mail: philippe.roesle@eda.admin.ch
Tel. +41 (0)58 480 18 58
