Defining the ‘future’ of nations through the pavilions at Expo 2025

At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Saudi Arabian Pavilion, conceived by Foster + Partners, welcomes visitors into an immersive journey through the evolving identity of the Middle Eastern kingdom. Positioned along the waterfront of Yumeshima, the structure hints at an ethereal Arabian city, both ancient and visionary.

It’s not merely a space to admire; it’s one to experience. Nature, people, and the future are interwoven into its design. With sustainability at its heart, the pavilion is working towards Casbee S certification, the highest accolade in Japan’s green building standards, and maintains a net-zero carbon operation.

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From the moment one enters, inclusivity takes centre stage. The floor plan subtly follows the land’s natural contours, creating a single, shared route for all. At its heart lies a sunken stage that rises to the main level, opening the performance space to everyone. Seating is designed with equal participation in mind, with integrated wheelchair access that ensures no one is placed apart from the rest.

A highlight of the pavilion is the Saudi Courtyard: serene by day, dynamic by night. From here, guests meander through an abstract Arabian ‘village’, its narrow alleyways, semi-open windows and intriguing doors evoking stories yet to unfold.

Inside, the restaurant and café feature a cascade of levels and adaptable layouts, creating varied, welcoming spaces. A designated ‘quiet room’ invites visitors to pause and re-centre after the sensory stimulation of the expo, designed according to principles of neuro-inclusivity, a rarity in such settings.

Every element has been considered with care, from bilingual Japanese–English signage to tactile Braille inscriptions for visually impaired guests. This is a pavilion that defies rigid boundaries. It invites visitors to discover, feel, and explore in their own time and way: a world shaped by innovation, curiosity and shared human experience.

At Expo 2025 Osaka, the UK Pavilion delivers a compelling message: even the smallest ideas hold the power to shape the future. Drawing inspiration from simple building blocks, the space explores how creative thinking can connect, spark resonance, and lead to innovations with far-reaching influence.

From the invention of the steamship to the creation of the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceport, Great Britain and Northern Ireland is portrayed as a place of possibilities—a landscape where pioneering minds and scientific leaders come together to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

The exhibition unfolds as an immersive journey, guiding visitors through defining moments in Britain’s creative evolution. From early industrial ingenuity to forward-looking sustainable solutions, the flow from past to present to future underscores the UK’s enduring place in global advancement.

The Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka offers a five-part sensory experience built around the theme From Heidi to High Tech. Rooted in Switzerland’s cultural heritage and enriched by modern technological breakthroughs, this immersive installation becomes a journey of intimate encounters and imaginative exploration.

Echoing the Expo’s overarching theme of Designing a Future Society for Life, the pavilion was conceived with sustainability at its core. Lightweight membrane structures reduce both construction time and environmental impact, while symbolising the collaborative spirit between Switzerland and Japan.

Its form consists of four airy domes, gently connected to create a cohesive space—open and fluid, reflecting Swiss innovation. Inside, a hands-on educational zone serves as a “creative playground”, where visitors can engage with Swiss inventions in vivid, visual ways. Above, a rooftop terrace offers views over the Expo, doubling as a lively venue for gatherings and cultural exchange.

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The Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka—designed through the collaboration of Carré 7, Beyond Limits, One Designs, Pirnay, and Poly-Tech—responds with imagination to the Expo’s guiding vision: Designing Future Societies for Tomorrow’s Lives. Centring on the theme of Saving Lives, the pavilion explores water’s essential role—not just in sustaining life, but in shaping culture, memory, and connection.

Modelled on the form of a cell, the design draws parallels between water and the intricate web of life, highlighting humanity’s deep ties to the environment and the shared responsibility of preserving resources for generations ahead.

Water here is more than a natural element—it is a thread that weaves through Belgium’s story. From the bustling port of Antwerp to rivers like the Meuse and Scheldt, water has shaped trade, inspired art, and informed identity. The pavilion captures this fluid narrative through architectural elements that echo water’s states—solid, liquid, and vapour—as a metaphor for evolving consciousness. Its façades reflect Belgium’s federal make-up, celebrating the distinct character of each region.

At its heart lies a serene courtyard, filled with light, greenery and flowing water—an oasis that invites connection to the natural world. Its hexagonal form recalls the molecular structure of H₂O, a subtle symbol of harmony, shared purpose, and community. This visual dialogue speaks not only to Belgium’s essence but also resonates with Japanese sensibility, offering a message of cross-cultural solidarity in the pursuit of a better future.

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Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2025 offers a refined blend of Qatari and Japanese artisanal traditions. This project celebrates a shared maritime heritage—where the sea is more than a resource; it is a space shaped by trade, knowledge, and the exchange of culture. Open until 13 October 2025, the pavilion highlights Qatar’s forward-looking achievements across multiple sectors.

Drawing inspiration from Qatar’s traditional dhow-building methods and the fine craftsmanship of Japanese timber joinery, the pavilion embodies a quiet yet eloquent cultural dialogue. Its early renderings reveal a striking wooden framework sheathed in pale fabric—evocative of the elegant sailboats that once travelled along routes stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to East Africa, Yemen and the shores of South Asia.

Within, the space hosts a multimedia exhibition curated by OMA*AMO, delving into the cultural, industrial and ecological narratives along Qatar’s 563 km coastline. These stories unfold against the backdrop of the Qatar National Vision 2030, while also gesturing towards new paths for investment and economic diversification as outlined in the National Development Strategy 2024–2030. The pavilion experience is also a reflection of the long-standing ties between Qatar and Japan—bonds forged through commerce, shared traditions and mutual respect over generations.

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