!VAR HAGENDOORN

Building: Dutch Pavilion Expo 2000

Location: Hannover

Architect: MVRDV

Year of completion: 2000

Comments: You may have seen the glossy pictures when it was inaugurated. This is what it looks like now (October 2004). Basically the whole Expo2000 concept was flawed and it resulted in a massive deficit. The idea was that the pavilions would get a new destination as office space after the Expo. It turned out somewhat differently and most buildings are still empty. The whole place looks rather dreary. The problem with the Dutch pavilion is that it doesn't really lend itself to being re-used. There was a plan to dismantle the structure and rebuild it in Amsterdam, at a prime location, but building it anew would probably be cheaper and more practical. And so now the structure is just sitting there. It has been partially looted, windows have been smashed, there's garbage everywhere. It is such a waste and sad to see structure like this being left to itself. It is a good reminder though to the people who plan, organize and finance events like these.

Tags: Architecture | Dutch Pavilion | Expo 2000 | Mvrdv