Five Stand-Out Pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka
Taking place on the artificial island Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, the upcoming World Expo centers on the theme titled Designing Future Society for Our Lives. A total of 158 countries are exhibiting at the event, alongside pavilions and installations contributed by international organizations, groups and companies.
Read on for 5 stand-out structures at Expo 2025 Osaka:
1. Swiss Pavilion by Manuel Herz Architekten
The pavilion features four lightweight, interconnected spheres, creating a space to showcase Swiss innovation. In line with the Expo's overall theme, "Designing the Future Society for Our Lives," the pavilion aims to minimize environmental impact with a lightweight membrane design that allows for speedy construction. The pavilion's exhibitions center around three main themes in consecutive order: Augmented Human (robotics, AI, AR/VR); Life (life sciences, education, health, nutrition); and Planet (environment, sustainability, climate, energy).
2. France Pavilion by Coldefy and CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati
The 3,600 square meter Pavilion is illuminated by a series of suspended transparent acrylic rods. Two sides of the Pavilion feature 17-meter-high fabric curtains, symbolizing the concept of the building as a 'theatre of life,' animated by the movement of visitors within it. A winding staircase rises from the ground, inviting visitors to cross the curtain threshold into the interior space of the building and finally leading them to the rooftop terrace. Here, a landscaped garden presents slices of nature taken from different environs of France, from the mountains to the coast.
3. Uzbekistan Pavilion by Atelier Brückner
Composed of modular, reusable wooden elements, the pavilion's architecture will later be reconstructed in Uzbekistan, serving as a studio, workshop, or school. The pavilion's design integrates three key elements: a garden, a forest of columns, and a central sculptural connection. The ground floor garden symbolizes Uzbekistan's rich cultural landscape, offering a space for interaction and encounters. The forest of columns, reflecting traditional timber craftsmanship, emphasizes modularity and innovation. Finally, the sculptural connection physically unites the roof and garden, seeking to provide a coherent experience for visitors.
4. Saudi Arabia Pavilion by Foster + Partners
Saudi Arabia's pavilion is formed of a network of angular volumes clad in local stone and arranged to mimic the layout of traditional Saudi Arabian streets. They encircle a courtyard and are accessed from a ramped forecourt planted with native trees. The pavilion is broken into a series of immersive audio-visual exhibits aimed at helping visitors feel they have stepped foot into Saudi Arabia.
5. Singapore Pavilion by DP Architects
The concept of the pavilion centers around the tagline "Where dreams take shape," aiming to offer an insight into the country's culture and impactful innovations. The pavilion, taking the shape of a 17-meter-high sphere clad in thousands of disks in vibrant red hues, creates a multi-sensorial exhibition showcasing actions and innovations that encourage a more sustainable future. Made of recycled materials, these represent the collective spirit of Singapore, according to the architects. Situated on the top floor of the Dream Sphere, the "Dream Forest" is an immersive, forested environment where dense planting forms a lush backdrop.
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