An artist's rendition of the Rotterdam Pavilion

The Rotterdam Pavilion will invite visitors to enjoy the rhythm of falling rain produced by an artificial cloud while never getting their feet wet.

The artificial cloud will create a nine-minute experience of various weather patterns, from sunshine to excessive rainfall, similar to the unpredictable and challenging climate in the Netherlands port city of Rotterdam, which is largely below sea level.

The rains will be accompanied by lightning and thunder produced by advanced technology in the pavilion, "Rotterdam Water City," inside the Urban Best Practices Area at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

"However, you don't have to fear that you would get wet through the downpour in our pavilion," said Richard E. Ouwerkerk, dean and board chair of the Willem de Kooning Academy, the pavilion's designer.

"We have introduced the city's innovative technologies and expertise, such as the use of 'water plazas' to keep your feet dry."

Water plazas, used in the center of Rotterdam, collect water in man-made ponds when it rains and serve as normal public places on sunny days.

An artist's rendition of the Rotterdam Pavilion

An artist's rendition of the Rotterdam Pavilion

(en.expo2010.cn January 15,2010)