How Osaka Expo’s leading architects redefined national pavilions

One of the world’s most influential architects, Kengo Kuma, whose architectural practice is headquartered in Tokyo, is known for fusing nature into his designs. For Expo 2025, the Japanese architect has designed two country pavilions—Portugal and Qatar—each rooted in the geography, history and materials of their respective nations.

“Portugal has a lot in common with Japan, both geographically and climatically,” Kuma tells Tatler. “Both are close to the sea and [contain many] mountains, and both have a unique wind that blows from the sea to the mountains.” This elemental connection informed the design of the Portugal Pavilion, where rope, referencing the country’s seafaring past, hangs from the structure, allowing visitors to feel both the air and history moving through it.

For the Qatar Pavilion, Kuma drew inspiration from the dhow, a traditional wooden sailing vessel: “I remember seeing a dhow in Qatar and being surprised at how similar it was to a Japanese boat.” The idea of water, wood and the open sea then became central to its design. “The pavilion is surrounded by water as if it floats. I would like visitors to experience a sense of the sea.”

Both pavilions make use of natural materials, a signature approach of Kuma’s—and also something that responds to the environment of the site. “The structures at the Expo are artificial, so it was particularly important for us to incorporate as many natural elements as possible,” he explains.

And while the exhibits inside the pavilions are fascinating, Kuma says, “We want to emphasise that the space leading up to the building should also be enjoyed.” He and his team want visitors to feel as if they have actually visited the country and to have a total experience that can’t be gained anywhere else.

Ultimately, Kuma sees Expo 2025 as a platform for rethinking design and the natural world. “The Expo will be an opportunity to showcase new urban forms and possibilities in an age of environmental crisis. Visitors [can] consider what the relationship between architecture and nature should be.”

London-headquartered firm Foster + Partners, known for its technologically innovative work, is behind the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025—a design that marries tradition with forward-thinking modularity.

“We took inspiration from the scale of Saudi villages and their inherent response to human comfort. We studied the organisation and proportions of their streets and reinterpreted them in our pavilion design,” says Luke Fox, senior executive partner and head of studio at Foster + Partners. The journey through the pavilion gives visitors the experience of walking through a Saudi village.

The pavilion is also a feat of sustainable engineering. “We had 13 months to construct the pavilion, so we needed to establish a system that was as lightweight, sustainable and easy to build as possible,” says Fox. A standout innovation is the modular façade system—made from lightweight Saudi stone—that can be deconstructed, reassembled or reconfigured for future use. What’s more, “the way it has been designed and manufactured gives it the appearance of permanence”.

This isn’t Foster + Partners’ first foray into Expo architecture; the firm designed the UAE and Qatar Pavilions for Expo 2020 Dubai. Reflecting on those projects, Fox says, “Expos are a fantastic opportunity for countries to present
themselves in the world spotlight.”

For Saudi Arabia, the Expo pavilion is also a cultural bridge. “It is designed to create meaningful connections between the Japanese public and Saudi Arabia’s ancient history, recent progress and incredible artists and musicians—engaging all of the senses—and allowing visitors to experience the true spirit of the kingdom.”

Singapore-based DP Architects’ Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025 presents a vision of the island that’s compact yet liveable, highly innovative and sustainable, and deeply rooted in community and place.

“The Singapore Pavilion is a larger-than-life manifestation of ‘a little red dot’—a term of endearment that symbolises Singapore’s outsized impact and high aspirations,” says Seah Chee Huang, CEO of DP Architects and architecture lead for the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025. “It reflects the city-state’s relentless pursuit of innovation, resilience and sustainable solutions.”

At the heart of the pavilion is The Dream Sphere, a centrepiece that embodies Singapore’s collective hope for a more inclusive and thriving future. Clad in recycled aluminium discs that contain 70 per cent post-consumer waste, the façade draws inspiration from seigaiha, the traditional Japanese wave motif, and alludes to the Japanese practice of hanging wooden plaques inscribed with wishes.

“This symbolises not just the culmination of dreams but also the collective desire to turn these dreams into reality as one
united nation,” Seah says. Sustainability is one of the pavilion’s guiding principles. The structure integrates water-saving systems, renewable energy and pieces designed for their ease of assembly and disassembly, intended for reuse after the Expo. “The pavilion showcases how Singapore strives to push boundaries in building a more sustainable and inclusive world,” says Seah.

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