The Swiss Pavilion, Osaka Expo 2025 – Manuel Herz
Expo 2025 is a World Expo organised and sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is being held in Osaka, Japan. It is taking place for six months from 13 April to 13 October 2025. This is the second time that Osaka has hosted a World Expo, having previously hosted Expo 1970. The Expo takes place on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The projected visitor count is approximately 28 million.
Designed by Manuel Herz Architekten, NUSSLI, and Bellprat Partner, as a result of a competition won, the pavilion guides visitors through five spatial zones under the theme From Heidi to High Tech. The installation brings together references from Swiss cultural narratives and technological developments in a multi-sensory setting. 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 and strengthens the relationship between both countries. The pavilion features four lightweight, interconnected spheres, creating a space to showcase Swiss innovation. Visitors can explore an interactive and educational playground showcasing Swiss creativity. The pavilion’s rooftop offers views of the Expo, serving as a venue for gathering at the festival.
In keeping with the Expo’s theme of sustainable futures, the Swiss Pavilion uses a lightweight membrane design to reduce its environmental impact. Together with NUSSLI and other professionals, the group seeks to design and advance environmentally friendly building methods. The General Commissioner Manuel Salchli emphasized that the “exhibition structure for Osaka will be the lightest ever built by Switzerland for a World Expo.”
