Ever since the Shanghai Expo has been open we’ve been using Mondays to post comics about the Expo. Today not only do we have a comic but a really cool video about buildings that are being built in Shanghai and some for the expo. Watch the video and read the blurb.

Timelapse Construction Video of 2010 Shanghai World Expo Broad Pavilion from Broad on Vimeo.

I found this over at Shanghaiist.

It’s main attribute is that it was built in less than a day – 14 hours to be exact. It uses prefabricated parts and features energy efficient modules and 20% of the materials used by other pavilions of a comparable size. It also managed to minimize site waste (20 to 30% of urban refuse in modern cities, apparently), trimming the overall amount of waste on site to just 1%. Best of all, these prefab parts can be taken apart after the Expo for use somewhere else.

Considering the amount of construction going on in China’s cities, and its growing need for almost instantaneous buildings, the Broad Pavilion represents a way to keep up with China’s pace with less of the waste. The only problem is (the lack of encouragement for conservation and renovation, notwithstanding)… do they have to be so ugly?

Ugly? I guess that’s what the sacrifice is. Speed or ugly. The video is pretty cool. Especially the earthquake testing of the building. Thanks Shanghaiist for sharing the video and article!