The design was selected from a pool of 12 proposals from Australian architecture firms. "It was very hard to choose, a very difficult decision," explained Sams. "The final design had to answer the question: 'who represents Australia?' "

Australian architectural firm Wood Marsh together with design firm Think!OTS won approval with a unique concept combining dynamic design with natural imagery. The flowing exterior consists of a curving red-ochre wall that evokes sandstone visions of Australia’s outback and Ayer’s Rock. This wall is composed of a special type of weathering steel that reacts with Shanghai’s temperature and humidity, deepening its distinct color over time and adding an organic elegance to the structure.

The Australian experience begins in the three-story covered atrium that leads to the entrance of the pavilion voyage. Winding lit spirals of the official flower from Australia’s eight states and territories glow from within eight large mesh pods that hang from the ceiling. Dancers and aerial performers will entertain crowds waiting to commence their walk through the pavilion.

From here one enters the "Journey" section, a 160-meter enclosed ramp displaying five exhibitions that showcase Australian history. An important goal of the ramp is to keep people inside, out of the heat and discomfort of Shanghai's muggy summers. But having an estimated 40,000 visitors per day passing through presented a logistical challenge.

"The most important part of the pavilion is how to manage the crowd," remarked Sams. "Our biggest goal was to not make people wait, so we did computer modeling for waiting and looking at exhibits, and tested it many times." The pavilion’s designers predicted that 90 people would pass through the ramp every minute, so each of the five exhibits was crafted to present information in a time sensitive yet informative fashion.