Project Name: UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Location: Osaka, Japan

Design Team: WOO Architects

Total Floor Area: 1760 m²

Completion: 2025

Photography: Hufton + Crow

Feature:

Project - The UK Government's Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, designed by London-based WOO architects, opens to the public on April 13th, 2025. This striking pavilion occupies a prime location at the southern edge of the Expo site directly overlooking the water plaza, providing unparalleled panoramic views of the lagoon and creating an ideal space for visitors to enjoy the water and air shows.

The pavilion's most distinctive element is its powder-coated aluminum facade with a parametric design forming a dynamic, pixelated pattern. The folded perforated panels envelop the structure, subtly shifting in appearance throughout the day as light interacts with its surface. After dark, the building is transformed as light animates the perforated facade to reveal the Union Jack flag behind it. Dynamic programming brings the flag 'to life', creating a rippling effect reminiscent of fabric moving in the wind.

The pavilion's layered, tessellated veil takes its cue from the early innovations of the Industrial Revolution. Perforated panels echo the punched cards once used in textile looms - an early form of programmable technology that shaped intricate fabric patterns. This delicate skin pays tribute to the textile industries that fuelled industrial revolutions in both the UK and Japan, weaving together a shared legacy of innovation with a bold, digital-age vision.

Designed with future use in mind, the fully relocatable 10-meter x 10-meter modular grid structure will be repurposed after the event, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy. ES Global delivered the pavilion using its innovative Global Modular System and lightweight foundation system to prioritize flexibility and sustainability. The interior design, created by WOO in collaboration with Stuart Forbes Associates, includes a wide variety of programmed spaces including galleries, gift shops, conference spaces, terrace bar and tea rooms, brought together with a harmonious and refined design language.

At the heart of the Pavilion is the "Come Build the Future Exhibition," designed by Immersive International. The 20-minute visitor journey showcases the UK's creative culture and innovation. At the ground level, the pavilion is open, permeable and welcoming, encouraging visitors to seamlessly connect with both the gardens and interior spaces.

The pavilion and the gardens take full advantage of the wide plot creating an inspiring and tranquil setting, reflecting the essence of the British landscape. Blending natural beauty with simplicity, it offers visitors a serene and immersive experience and is a natural testament to the deep-rooted connection between the UK and Japan.

Design Team - Founded in 2014 and headquartered in London's Kings Cross, WOO Architects has rapidly established itself as a leading architectural practice specializing in sports venues, cultural facilities, and major event infrastructure. The firm's portfolio showcases an impressive range of international projects spanning 12+ countries, with notable expertise in designing for 10 different elite sports and 17 major sporting events including Olympic Games, World Cups, and European Championships.

Under the leadership of Founder and CEO Kevin Owens alongside a dynamic directorial team including Emma Owens (Director of Culture and New Business), Peter Richardson (COO & Director of Sport), and Eddie Taylor (Practice Director), WOO has cultivated a design philosophy centered on creating "super fit for purpose" spaces that seamlessly balance innovation with pragmatic functionality.

The practice's approach is distinguished by its parametric design methodology and commitment to sustainability, particularly evident in their development of relocatable and demountable structures. Their recent UK Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka exemplifies this expertise, featuring a modular grid system designed for circular economy principles.

WOO's collaborative ethos drives their client relationships, breaking traditional barriers between consultant and client to deliver architecturally significant yet commercially viable solutions. With a multi-disciplinary team, the firm approaches each project with what they describe as "active inquisitiveness," viewing constraints as opportunities to create buildings that not only accommodate their intended function but actively enhance user experiences through thoughtful, accessible design that resonates across diverse cultural contexts.