# Fiber Optic Pavilions Thomas Heatherwick Creates Glowing Architecture for Shanghai Expo By Rachel | Published 2009-07-13 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shanghai-expo-thomas-heatherwick References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2009/07/the-unusual-design-of-the-uk-pavilion-for-the-2010-shanghai-expo.html) & [thomasheatherwick](http://www.thomasheatherwick.com/) As part of the 2010 Shanghai Expo, Thomas Heatherwick is creating a [glowing pavilion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/osmanthus-moon). The pavilion will glow thanks to thousands of fiber optic filaments that move the indoor light to the outside of the building, giving it a glow. The design by Thomas Heatherwick is exciting, not just because a [fiber optic building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafted-world-exhibition-1) is awesome, but because it will make a great centerpiece for the Shanghai Expo and a great gathering place. Take a look at the design that will keep Shanghai glowing during the 2010 Expo. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fiber Optic Architecture:** This trend presents an opportunity for architects and designers to incorporate fiber optic technology into their building designs, creating visually stunning and innovative structures. - **Interactive Illumination:** This trend opens up possibilities for interactive lighting installations, where the glow of fiber optic filaments can be controlled and manipulated to create dynamic and immersive experiences. - **Event-centric Design:** This trend highlights the importance of creating standout architectural designs for large events and expos, providing an opportunity for architects and designers to create memorable and iconic structures for such occasions. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** The architecture industry can explore new ways to incorporate fiber optic technology into buildings, pushing the boundaries of design and creating innovative structures. - **Lighting Design:** The lighting design industry can capitalize on the trend of interactive illumination, developing technologies and products that allow for dynamic and customizable lighting installations. - **Experiential Events:** The events industry can leverage event-centric design trends to create immersive and visually striking experiences, attracting and engaging attendees. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleek Spiralling Ramp Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/czech-pavilion.md) - [Everyday Material Colorful Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorful-pavilions.md) - [Interactive Architectural Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folding-landscape.md) - [Code-Generated Pavilion Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-orb.md) - [Segmented Lightflow Art Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-capsule-in-time.md) - [Vast Wooden Structural Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-ring.md) - [Luminous Park Domes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/osmanthus-moon.md) - [Art Expo Village-Esque Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saudi-arabia-pavilion.md) - [Pointy Paper Lantern Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-lantern-pavilion.md)