Here in Japan, the anticipation for EXPO 2025—which will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025—is palpable. For HORIZON, we were recently granted an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Switzerland pavilion, which featured access to the construction site itself, showcasing the progress made by the Swiss team as it aims to make its innovative and sustainable vision a reality. The event, organized by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan and held at Swissnex, was split into two main parts: First was the on-site tour of the construction site of the Swiss pavilion at grounds of EXPO 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshimanaka in Osaka, while the second half featured a more detailed explanation of the pavilion as well as a showcase of sustainable woodworking designs and was held at Swissnex. Finally, the night was capped off (quite literally) with a dinner and drink reception.
A Vision of Sustainability
The Switzerland Pavilion, designed by Manuel Herz Architekten in collaboration with Nüssli and Bellprat Partner, is a testament to Switzerland’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The pavilion’s architecture is striking, featuring five interconnected spheres embedded in a lush green landscape. This design not only captivates the eye but also embodies the pavilion’s goal of having the smallest ecological footprint at EXPO 2025.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the pavilion is its construction material. The shell of the exhibition spaces is made from a lightweight, recyclable foil supported by a minimalistic structure. Weighing just 400 kilograms, this foil is a mere 1% of the weight of a conventional building shell and can be transported using just two to three cargo bikes. After the Expo, the foil will be repurposed into furniture, demonstrating a full lifecycle approach to sustainability.
The Event Experience
The behind-the-scenes event was a blend of informative presentations and interactive experiences. Without a doubt, the highlight for us was the detailed tour of the pavilion’s construction site, where we could see the innovative building techniques in action. After walking through the area where the spheres—essentially the main exhibition hall—will be located, our guides from Nüssli brought us to the top of the pavilion, where we were afforded an exclusive view of the entire Expo site from above at the future location of the “Heidi Café”. This café will double as the primary event space during the EXPO, but is also open to the general public when no events are held.
While the on-site portion of the event featured brief presentations on the logistics and progress of the pavilion, back at Swissnex a more detailed presentation outlined the overall vision behind the showcase. This vision is broadly organized along three themes: Life, Planet, and Augmented Human. The pavilion will feature interactive exhibitions from Swiss researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators across these themes, showcasing solutions to global challenges in the areas of life sciences, health, nutrition, environment, sustainability, climate, energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. One notable aspect is that aspects of the exhibition will be exchanged twice during the course of EXPO 2025, ensuring that repeat visitors get to experience something new and that the breadth of Swiss innovation is showcased properly.
Sustainable Woodworking Designs
Finally, the second half of the event was dedicated to sustainable woodworking designs under the theme “Design With Wood”. A group of four design teams presented their work, and here too there was a clear focus on sustainability. Each of the teams focused on a new approach to woodworking, featuring locally sourced and/or previously discarded pieces of wood. These were then repurposed to create functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture, all the while minimizing the impact on Switzerland’s forests. This approach aligns with Switzerland’s broader commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Looking Ahead
As EXPO 2025 draws near, the Swiss Pavilion exemplifies a thoughtful integration of innovation and sustainability. We were thrilled to gain access to this behind-the-scenes look at what Switzerland is cooking up, and touring the construction site finally made the rapidly approaching event feel real. From our perspective at HORIZON, the pavilion’s emphasis on sustainability, from its recyclable construction materials to the overall vision of the exposition and planned showcases, could be felt throughout the event.
Any EXPO is an opportunity for participating countries to showcase themselves at their very best, but it is also an important forum for knowledge sharing, networking with a view for innovative collaboration, and cultural exchange. Switzerland’s focus on sustainability and innovation is hopefully a sign of what kind of priorities will take centerstage at EXPO 2025, and we are eager to see how other nations incorporate similar strategies in their pavilions and how these efforts contribute to a more sustainable future.
Source:
The top image © FDFA, Presence Switzerland
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/official-participant/switzerland/
