Expo Osaka 2025 – Manuel Herz
From Heidi to high-tech: a showcase of Swiss collaborative innovation. The Swiss pavilion takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey through collaborative innovation. Twenty years after the country’s impactful participation in Aichi, the same commissioner general will inaugurate a fresh and dynamic programme under the title From Heidi to High-Tech. This narrative reflects Switzerland’s evolution from its iconic Alpine heritage to a globally recognised hub of cutting-edge technology and innovation. Beloved by generations in Japan, the timeless figure of Heidi will serve as the pavilion’s official mascot, embodying the spirit of friendship between the two nations. The Swiss Pavilion presents a unique opportunity to deepen the already strong bilateral ties, particularly as Japan stands as Switzerland’s most significant partner in Asia for science and technology. This collaboration aims to inspire new exchanges with a forward-looking perspective.
On behalf of Prescene Switzerland, the pavilion was designed and built by the collaborating team of NUSSLI Group (general contractor), Manuel Herz Architects (architecture), Bellprat Partner (scenography), and Robin Winogrond (landscape architecture). The pavilion: sustainable design meets Swiss creativity. As Expo 2025 provides a platform for sharing expertise on a sustainable future, Switzerland aimed to contribute by building a pavilion with minimal environmental impact. This is achieved through a lightweight membrane structure that forms the four interconnected spheres on the pavilion’s ground floor. The scenography, which evokes a sense of lightness and joy, guides visitors through an interactive and informative experience showcasing Swiss excellence in innovation and creativity, with a focus on three major themes for Switzerland at the expo — Augmented Human, Life, and Planet.
