OSAKA EXPO 2025
BULGARIA PAVILION
2025
Osaka, Japan
The Bulgaria Pavilion for the 2025 Osaka Expo is envisioned as a captivating representation of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage, technological innovation, and sustainable development initiatives. Situated near the Grand Roof (Ring), the pavilion is designed to be an eye-catching attraction, serving as a window into the country’s past, present, and future.
A central focus of the design was to shape visitors’ perception of openness, blending the boundary between inside and outside. The facade, composed of two key elements, shapes this experience. The glass facade offers clear views between the interior and plaza, creating a transparent and inviting connection. Complementing it, the rope facade, woven in opposing patterns, creates a dynamic pattern while wrapping the structure. The interplay of light, movement, and material creates a surface that appears opaque from some angles but gradually reveals a warm, welcoming interior as visitors approach. The plaza functions as a gathering space for events and quiet moments of connection amid the bustle of the Expo.
Given the nature of the Expo, the pavilion is sustainable and reusable. The majority of structural elements and façade panels are designed for easy disassembly and future reuse, ensuring the pavilion’s impact extends far beyond this event.
Use: Pavilion
Scope: Schematic Design, Design Development Supervision, Construction Administration Cooperation, Project Coordination
Client: Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA)
Collaborated: Daiwa Lease (Main Contractor), Rapport Design (Electrical Consultant), Design Arc (Interior Contractor), Mariya Kostova Gospodinova (Interior Architect), Iskren Krusteff (Interior Coordination), MP-Studio (Digital Exhibition), Carl Philip Jakobsson (Interior Installation), The Japan Stone Industry Association, Ivan Stoyanov (Statues), Veneer House Inc. (Landscape Design)
Consultants: Nikken Sekkei, Lidia Vitanova, Mira Kalanova
(Photo: Design Arc)
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