EXHBITOR MAGAZINE'S WORLD EXPO AWARDS BEST ACTIVITY/INTERACTIVE: UZBEKISTAN

DESIGN: Atelier Brückner

FABRICATION: NUSSLI Group

The Uzbekistan pavilion didn't just tell the story of a country rooted in tradition yet poised for a bright future. It brought that story to life via three immersive installations: glowing interactive plinths, a panoramic projection wall, and a 360-degree lifting theater.

Just past the pavilion entrance was a dim room where visitors encountered a series of internally illuminated plinths (i.e., architectural blocks topped by interactive elements). Employing lighting, multimedia, and embedded touchpoints, these tactile installations begged exploration, covering topics such as renewable energy, urban development, and youth empowerment.

Hailed by jurors as “mesmerizing beacons of communication,” the plinths also caught the eye of designer Mitchell Mauk, who honored the entire pavilion with a Guest Editor's Choice Award. While Mauk lauded the pavilion's exterior and its forest of architectural forms, he also praised the plinths. “The display [of plinths] was something I'd never seen, as it was an exhibit display with only glowing artifacts,” he said. “Here, the absence of color made the attendee focus on the message and form.”

By Exhibitor magazine: Linda Armstrong, Sean Carlson, Danelle Dodds, Emily Olson, Nancy Olson, and Charles Pappas