Mesmerizing Guangyun Pavilion in China Inspired by London’s Underground Rush Hour

A webbed steel pavilion with a network of flickering blue lights has popped up in China’s city of Xi’an. Dubbed the Guangyun Entrance, this brilliant structure was created by <a title="Mesmerizing Guangyun Pavilion in China Inspired by London’s Underground Rush Hour" href="http://www.plasmastudio.com/index.html" target="_blank">Plasma Studio</a> for the city’s<a title="Mesmerizing Guangyun Pavilion in China Inspired by London’s Underground Rush Hour" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi'an_China_International_Horticultural_Exposition_2011" target="_blank"> International Horticultural Expo</a>. Under the structure, several lanes bring hundreds of people in and out, within a system that takes inspiration from the <a title="Mesmerizing Guangyun Pavilion in China Inspired by London’s Underground Rush Hour" href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-kreod-pavilion-opens-today-as-east-londons-new-sustainable-architectural-landmark/" target="_blank">London</a> underground’s overloaded escalators during rush hour.

The Guangyun entrance pavilion was unveiled during the Xi’an International Horticultural Expo in China back in 2011.

It frames the main visitor entrance to the expo site with a transparent, multi-faceted shape that shines during the night.

Due to the amount of people visiting the site, instead of two pedestrian lanes, there are three with the middle one switching directions throughout the day—just like in London's underground.

With green areas and a water feature between the lanes, the <a title="Mesmerizing Guangyun Pavilion in China Inspired by London’s Underground Rush Hour" href="http://inhabitat.com/plasma-studio-builds-parasite-home-on-top-of-a-60s-house-in-italy/" target="_blank">architects</a> wanted to encourage visitors to stop, relax and enjoy the structure just before entering the Expo.

Measuring 23-foot high, the web-like pavilion serves as landmark and a meeting point, welcoming visitors while attracting the gaze of distant onlookers.

In the near future, plants will climb up the innovative structure to create a natural shade that will reinforce the horticultural theme by adding some extra green.