Belgian pavilion shines thanks to Rockpanel Chameleon at the World Exhibition

Rockpanel worked closely with the architect to develop a unique design. Based on a mood board and large-scale tests, a custom pearlescent colour was chosen, designed especially for this project. Rockpanel also fitted in perfectly with the architect's vision: infinitely recyclable and innovative. The curved aspects embody Rockpanel's design freedom.

Jody Santamaria, Business Manager Belgium and Luxembourg at Rockpanel, was also involved in this project: ‘Rockpanel was able to offer a solution that matched the design and brought the architect's vision to life. The theme of the exhibition is Saving Lives. Fire safety, acoustics and sustainability are values shared by both Rockpanel and ROCKWOOL, which fit perfectly with the theme.’

Can be formed into virtually any shape
The corners of the pavilion are not straight, so it was important that the panels could be bent. One of the advantages of Rockpanel is that the panels are ideally suited for curved applications. Thanks to the concealed fastening system, no screws are visible, and the mother-of-pearl panels take centre stage.

Architectural eye-catcher measuring 2200 m²

Measuring around 2200 m², the pavilion captivates with its striking visual appeal. The top floor houses a restaurant and a conference room. Visitors can walk around the building and a bridge that runs across the entire site leads them to each pavilion and allows them to view the building from above. This allows them to admire the building from every angle and shows off the Rockpanel mother-of-pearl Chameleon to its best advantage.

Official launch and international collaboration

The project became official with the signing ceremony in August 2024. Pieter De Crem, Commissioner General of BelExpo and former Belgian Minister of the Interior and Security, came to Roermond for the occasion. He also visited the factory in Roermond. Jeroen Ebus, Managing Director of Rockpanel, was present and says of this project: ‘It is a particularly beautiful reference project, in which we put Rockpanel in the spotlight and can show what is possible with our products.’
The installation on site was carried out by local fitters. The project was taken over by a Japanese architect to make the pavilion resistant to local weather conditions that do not occur in Europe, such as hurricanes. As the Japanese team was not familiar with Rockpanel, the blind fastening system and how Rockpanel can be curved, the Japanese delegation visited the Rockpanel factory in Roermond. They also received training from Rockpanel and supplier SFS on the installation and processing of Rockpanel. Finally, they visited Rockpanel reference projects in the Netherlands.

A new life as a museum

BelExpo is delighted with the Belgian pavilion, a powerful piece of architecture that outshines everything else. The World Expo opens in April 2025 and the Belgian pavilion will be on display here until October. But it doesn't end after the World Expo. The pavilion will then be dismantled and rebuilt in La Louvière, where it will be given a second life as a local museum. In this way, Rockpanel's values and vision are reflected in every phase of the pavilion's life.