The Government of Shanghai invited seven architecture firms in 2001 to participate in this limited design competition for the planning and design for the World Exposition 2010 site.  KFS, as the only participant from North America was honored, and privileged to have received this prestigious invitation.

The inspiration of the planning concept was derived from the current geographic characteristics.
Additional channels to the existing Huangpu River were provided. The main content of the exposition was placed in circular radiating lines.  At the centre of this ring was a large public park open space.  The Huangpu River divided the site into two parts. The main area of concern, was the communication between and integration of these two parts.

The exposition site contains permanent residential units, multi-functional buildings, national and multi-national pavilions, theme parks and green spaces. The KFS concept was the creation of a green island that reduced the division of the site by the river. This island simultaneously emphasized, the KFS theme of a better city using water.

KFS located several permanent pavilions and a large public space at the northern part of the site.  The southern part was reserved for national pavilions. Circulation was a theme applied to the site – eight ‘towers’ are placed around the circular perimeter of the site. They formed a grid of pillars that defined the circular space of a future garden in the city of Shanghai. As part of the theme of this exposition, KFS advocated the development of re-used and re-cycled materials.

During the 180 days of exposition the projected estimate for the total visitor number would exceed 70 million bringing approximately 0.7 million visitors to the site every day. The F.A.R of the site was at least 4.5 and resulted in the many design challenges. A design solution with a permanent impact on the local development was mandatory. The site would be transformed into a major park at the conclusion of the 2010 Exposition. This included the theme park, the hills, the paths, and creeks. A radial network of boulevards was also preserved and to become the growing space for future commercial and leisure facilities. The tower buildings around the circular artificial river would be transformed into hotels or residential units. The ground level floors of the towers would continue as commercial uses. The design exemplifies the expo theme of ‘better city better life’.