Bahrain at Milan Expo 2015 a – Photo by Enrico Zilli.

At Milan Expo 2015, Bahrain Pavilion by Studio Anne Holtrop in collaboration with landscape architect Anouk Vogel is a poetic interpretation of the cultural agrarian heritage of the country. The exhibition Archeology of Green invites guests to walk away from Expo’s buzzy boulevard to rediscover the scents, flavours and traditions of Bahraini culture.

Model of Anna Holtrop – Courtesy of Bahrain Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015.

A bright white maze made with prefrabicated concrete panels creates blooming alcoves with walled fruit gardens, a colourful cafe and archaeological artifacts celebrating a millennia long tradition of agriculture.

Bahrain Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015 a – Photos by Enrico Zilli.

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The Archaeologies of Green exhibition of the Kingdom of Bahrain showcases the agricultural landscape of the land of the million palm trees addressing the challenges associated with food security, water provision and arable land.

The gardens of Bahrrain Pavilion’s nested gardens will bloom in turn during the six months of Milan Expo whilst the archaeological objects from the Dilmun and Tylos eras refer to ancient agricultural practices and myths.

At the same time, a short film by Armin Linke reflects on the contemporary agricultural landscape of the country. The installation, based on film and sound field recordings, attempts to reflect on agricultural spaces on the Islands of Bahrain, from traditional farming fields to intensive hydroponic greenhouses.

The pavilion has been designed from its onset to be dismantled and transported to Bahrain. The concrete elements are assembled to one another through dry-joints, stacked one on top of the other, and finished with brass fittings.

Photos by Enrico Zilli.

Model of Anna Holtrop – Courtesy of Bahrain Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015.