Osaka, Japan
Focusing on sustainable architecture, the Swiss Pavilion is a modular structure, designed by Manuel Herz Architects, made of recycled as well as recyclable materials, and plants that overgrow, enclose, and sequester CO2 around the building, make up the single-story barrier-free architecture and contribute to a minimal ecological footprint.
The scenography takes up the light exterior appearance of the building and stages the contents in the exhibition with light and color.
In the five spheres of the pavilion, visitors experience how Swiss innovation is created from the nutrients of nature as well as with Switzerland’s humanistic tradition and a bit of magic.
They can help to shape and explore the exhibition themselves, and ultimately carry Swiss innovative power out into the world in the form of plant seeds.
In the pavilion, they will also meet the mythical figure of Heidi, who acts as a link to the host country, Japan.
The care and preservation of nature are also important common concerns that link Japan and Switzerland.
The Swiss pavilion will stand out not only thanks to its spherical architecture with five spheres embedded in a lush green landscape, but also because it will be the pavilion with the smallest ecological footprint at Expo 2025.
The shell of the exhibition spaces is composed of a foil supported by a lightweight construction.
It weighs no more than 400kg – just 1% of a conventional building shell – and can be transported with two to three cargo bikes.
The foil is recyclable and will be made into specially designed furniture after the Expo.
Project: Swiss Pavilion for 2025 EXPO in Osaka
Architects: Manuel Herz Architects
Design Team: Diogo Franco, Ben Olschner, and Francesca Mautone
Client: Presence Switzerland
Contractor: Nüssli Group
Renderings: Manuel Herz Architects