Designers look at the models of World Expo 2010 Site.

Designers take pictures of the models the World Expo 2010 Site.

A designer takes pictures of the site atop the Expo Mansion.

Designers visit the UK Pavilion site.

Six teams competing to design the UK Pavilion for the 2010 World Expo spent yesterday touring the site of the event to help inspire their final proposals.

The six teams were chosen from more than 40 design groups and include the creators of the London Eye -- the largest Ferris wheel in the world -- and the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, considered the top award in architecture.

"We want the architects to know how grand the site is and how much work there will be through this trip, as well as let them understand the culture of Shanghai," said Malcolm Reading, who is organising the competition.

The UK has chosen to build its own 6,000-square-meter pavilion on the Pudong side of the Expo site, beside the Lupu Bridge. Construction is expected to kick off in 2009, according to Reading.

Several of the architects said they were amazed at the speed of work on the Expo site.

"We thought it would take a long time for the workers to construct such a big site," said one who didn't give his name.

The main question for the designers is how to create a pavilion that stands out amid so many others.

"The interactive elements are very important, otherwise people won't be attracted," said James Gibson, managing director with DCM Studios, who helped design the Spain Pavilion for the 1988 World Expo in Brisbane.

"We hope the UK Pavilion will be memorable," said Gibson. "Of course, the China Pavilion will be the most impressive one, so the UK Pavilion can come second."

The competing teams will submit their preliminary ideas before July 19, and models of their plans will be showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London from July 26 to September 6.

The winning design will be announced in October.

To date, the Netherlands is the only country to submit plans for its self-built pavilion, which will be based on the theme "happy street."