Gas - Expo Brussels 1958
The Gas pavilion, opposite the Great Palaces, opened the sector of the Exhibition devoted to modern energy sources: gas, electric power, hydraulic power, oil, and which was extended by the Atomium, the symbol of nuclear energy.
From an architectural point of view, it was situated in the monumental perspective given by the ensemble of the Palaces on either side of the great portico, seen from the Palais V. The building, of imposing dignity, occupied an area of 3,900 m2.
In building this pavilion, the group wanted to emphasise the importance of gas in the country's economy and in social life.
The didactic intention of the exhibitors could be seen in the layout of the classes - production, transport, distribution, domestic applications, industrial applications - as well as in the presentation which, to be more explicit, made extensive use of models and animated diagrams.
In the "production" class, for example, your attention was drawn to a model of a typical modern gas production plant.
You would find this in the wing of the building perpendicular to the Avenue of Attractions.
The "transport" class, on the other hand, displayed a map of the gas transport networks in front of you.
The means of controlling and regulating distribution were represented by photos of dispatching booths.
Similarly, an animated table showed how underground storage works.
Passing into the adjacent building you would notice the section for domestic gas applications: cooking, hot water production, heating, laundry. These were grouped to highlight the automaticity and safety of the appliances.
Operating appliances, such as a bakery oven, a steam press with built-in boiler, etc., gave animation to the part of the pavilion reserved for commercial and industrial applications.
A large kitchen equipped with the latest technology completed the ensemble and was used to prepare meals in the restaurant adjoining the pavilion.
© Guide Officiel Exposition Universelle de Bruxelles 1958 - Desclée & Co