An exhibition centre is a central focus of a city's economic life, and
in many cases a unique expression of its image. For this reason, as well
as offering adequate space and infrastructure, it must make a strong,
clearly recognizable architectural statement. Over the past couple of
decades, new technology and globalization have transformed trade fairs:
today they are not so much markets as forums for the exchange of
information and contacts. This new volume in the Construction and Design
Manual series spotlights twenty-two exemplary European buildings that
have overcome the resulting architectural challenges. It also includes
an overview of the cultural history of European trade fairs, and an
interview on successful exhibition-centre design with one of the world's
leading specialists in this area of architecture.