Far Eastern describes the exhibition hall as the world’s first such hall created using plastic bottles in place of bricks. The hall has been built to generate interest in recycling besides creating a major tourist attraction.
The pavilion named as the EcoARK, includes an amphitheater, museum space and a screen of falling water collected during rainy periods for air conditioning. It will also be used as a fashion pavilion during a flora exhibition in November. The architectural blocks are translucent and allow natural light to filter through the interior space of the hall. The material used for the facade is called ‘Polli-Brick’ from Hymini. Polli-Brick is made with recycled PET bottles to create an interlocking shape that is light weight and structural. It lends a honeycomb-like appearance to the facade.
According to Arthur Huang, managing director of the contractor Miniwiz Sustainable Energy Development Ltd., the inspiration for the design came from the office waste comprising PET bottles. Builders took bottles from Taiwan’s waste stream for reprocessing into plastic containers that interlock strongly to block the elements and can also withstand storms or earthquakes.
The 130-meter long and 26-meter high structure was commissioned by Far Eastern three years back. It will be donated to the city government in May 2010.
