French Pavilion – Expo 2015, Milan

The French Pavilion at Expo 2015 in Milan was designed as a covered market symbolizing French food culture. This three-story building was constructed largely from wood, with a central market hall of nearly 1,500 m². Its most striking feature was a dramatic roof structure formed from curved glulam beams, connected with MEGANT and RICON connectors.

The architectural concept was developed by x-tu Paris, with timber construction led by Simonin Montlebon. Structural planning was carried out by designtoproduction, and the project was built by France Agri Mer.

Key highlights:

Connector technology: Heavy-duty MEGANT connectors and fast-assembly RICON connectors were combined to create more than 600 structural crossing points.
Innovative structure: The pavilion required 730 curved glulam elements with cross-sections up to 200 × 2,400 mm, digitally modeled for precision.
Vaulted design: The roof structure rose to 12 meters at the highest points, creating an open and flexible interior space.
Digital integration: All elements were planned using 3D CAD and BTL manufacturing data, ensuring accuracy in prefabrication.
Recognition: The pavilion became one of the most iconic timber structures of Expo 2015, combining sustainability with cultural symbolism.

This project showcases how MEGANT and RICON connectors enable complex, large-scale timber structures with both engineering precision and architectural beauty.