The English translation of "Vatra Verde" is "Green Hearth." However, this is not a complete translation. In Romanian, "vatra" refers to the fireplace that constitutes the heart of the traditional Romanian home - the place of belonging, the place of being at one with nature, the place of roots and origins.

Now, imagine that the heart of our home is actually our whole connection with nature on Planet Earth. Vatra Verde - or Green Hearth - is here. Wait and feel.

The Pavilion emphasises that humanity needs collaboration to thrive and mitigate the climate and conflict crises, while being aware that collaboration itself is a complex process, involving change in attitudes, behaviour, mindsets. The exhibition strives to provide an opportunity to bring about this change.

The team behind draws inspiration from nature and reinterprets collaboration and interaction among natural systems by creating a hive model made of recycled materials. Through recycled art, ‘Vatra Verde’ wants to raise awareness of the importance of a circular economy and regenerative practices, by showcasing collaboration within systems and among systems aided by the transformative power of innovation in design. The artistic concept is anchored in principles of complex systems theory. It’s common knowledge that life is about relationships and interconnectedness, and we understand that in nature everything is cyclical.

Using a variety of recycling techniques, the team repurposed several types of waste (paper, leather powder, plastic, metal, etc.) into a multidisciplinary interactive installation, reminiscent of Brancusi's "Table of Silence" and its symbolism. The seating area is organised around a ‘live’ installation, crafted from recycled paper and recycled cereal husks, and bonded together with mycelium-based biodegradable glue. The exhibition harnesses the power of mycelium to grow our materials using organic and synthetic substrates that are the by-products or 'wastes' of other industries. This manufacturing process has a positive impact on the environment as it is completely regenerative.

Our technology will create an inclusive acoustic experience where visitors can hear the vibrations of the plants and compose their own sound effects through gentle touches and interactions.

The electricity required for this installation will be generated on-site, as visitors are invited to play with the central piece using kinetic interactions. By layering acoustic and kinetic interactions, "Vatra Verde" portrays the world as a bustling and noisy hive, full of distracting elements and stimuli that can hinder collaboration. Visitors are left to ponder the role of convergence and positive feedback loops in a world where collaboration remains essential despite system complexity.