Expo 2005 Aichi, the first World Exposition of the 21st  century was lightly situated in a shallow valley near Nagoya in central Japan. Touted as the first totally green fair and "Nature's Wisdom" as the theme, this fair uses modular construction that is designed to be easily dismantled and reused or otherwise recycled. The designers wished to show that buildings can be constructed to have minimal impact on the environment and be self-sufficant in energy, applying such technologies as fuel cells, biogas generators and solar sources while using innovative building materials and construction techniques. Exhibits explore sustainable resource development and clean power sources and the creation of eco-communities. In the site planning, operation, and transportation, the 3 Rs were followed, (reduce, reuse, recycle). 122 countries are represented as well as major Japanese corporations. All fairs of the past were located in urban area and usually done to develop neglected or blighted land. Expo 2005 is the first fair to be placed in a rural area. The ground are surrounded by a forest of Japanese red pine, Mangolian oak, Eura trees, and Mitsude Azaleas. Nature trails lead into the forest so that visitors can briefly escape the crowds. There is no nightlife at this fair. The grounds are closed by 9:30 and no fireworks to disturb the forest creatures. The Aichi fair has proved to be a hit with the public and has thus far has far exceeded the 15 million projected visitors for the 85 day run (May 25 to Sept. 25). The organizers, the Japon Association for the 2005 World Exposition, should be congratulated for this excellent fair. The exhibits are imaginatively designed and the visitor services are well organized and the food is good. The photos are by the author. The other images are from pamphlets and made available in the various pavilions and fair posters and design. www.expo2005.or.jp

The Fine Arts Pavilion design by Maybeck contains a theater and galleries (80,000 sq. ft.) arranged in a semi-circle. This relatively plain building provides a backdrop to the huge Roman fantasy out front. Maybeck believed in the "open use of natural materials honestly stated". He was a pioneer of "green architecture" and sustainable design. The results are building of elegant grandeur that mix historicism and modernity in a pleasing forms with a uniquely California look.