The Australia Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, designed by global architecture and design practice Buchan, is now open and welcoming visitors.
Themed ‘Chasing the Sun’, the Pavilion takes its design cue from the ubiquitous eucalyptus tree and its gumnut. The eucalypt’s many shapes and colours symbolise the diversity and dynamism of the Australian people, and the Pavilion’s colourful facade represents a gumnut bursting into flower. As a powerful symbol of new life and the boundless potential of future generations, it reflects the World Expo theme ‘Designing Future Society for our Lives’.
Lead architect on the Pavilion, Nataly Ernst, says Buchan is honoured to have designed the Pavilion for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
“Our team is immensely proud of the Australia Pavilion, which showcases our unique country on the world stage and supports the enduring friendship between Australia and Japan.”
The vibrant Pavilion is wrapped in a soft, tensile fabric that creates a canvas for sharing Australia’s stories, innovation and creativity. It features an immersive exhibition, a forecourt Cultural Precinct and a Special Event Zone for functions and business.
Indigenous advisors Karrda worked alongside the Buchan team to embed Country into the Pavilion and amplify Indigenous culture and ways of knowing. The exhibition design takes visitors on a bushwalk that captures the experience of walking on Country.
Buchan creative lead on the Pavilion, Dong Uong, says the exhibition is an interactive journey that engages all the senses. “The experience ‘chases the sun’ across land, sky and sea Country, based on the structure and flow of the song lines that traverse the land and have shared knowledge between Indigenous people over tens of thousands of years.”
Visitors will engage with Australia’s breathtaking natural environment whilst learning about its society and achievements, acknowledging the past, present and future. They will be invited to learn about First Nations Australian’s connection to Country and how this knowledge can help us build a future society.
Beneath the arc of the Pavilion’s facade, a sheltered stage faces a landscaped visitor forecourt to create a lively Cultural Precinct. An open, welcoming gathering point, it includes a yarning circle that invites people to connect. A full-service cafe offers Australian food and drink, whilst programming will express the nation’s culture and personality through music, dance, theatre and screen content.
The Special Event Zone features four function spaces for meetings and presentations. Colour and materials reflect Australian landscapes, and Australian design, art and craft features throughout. The engaging, sensory-rich spaces support the economic, cultural and social imperatives of Australia’s Expo participation. These include deepening Australia’s relationship with Japan, creating new opportunities for Australian businesses and showcasing contemporary Australia to the world.
Sustainable design and circular economy principles, materials and delivery methodologies underpin the temporary Pavilion’s structure. A reusable steel framework, previously utilised at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, supports the tensile fabric shell. The light-permeable fabric captures changing shadows across the day to connect visitors with nature as part of the Pavilion experience. Minimal construction materials, a fast build and the light-permeable building envelope minimise waste and energy use.
“The overarching theme of Expo 2025 is creating better futures,” says Ernst. “World Expos are a great opportunity for architects to experiment and exchange ideas. Buchan is excited to have the opportunity to work with our consultant team to showcase our nation’s design ingenuity.”
World Expo 2025 Osaka runs for six months from 13 April to 13 October 2025.
Photography © Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
About World Expo 2025
World Expo 2025 Osaka, themed ‘Designing Future Society for our Lives’, will focus on developing and adopting best practices from around the world to drive co-creation by the global community in designing a sustainable society that supports social challenges, emerging sciences and evolving technologies.
Australia is participating in World Expo 2025 alongside more than 150 nations and regions, for six months from 13 April to 13 October 2025. World Expo organisers are expecting 28 million visitors which represents an incredible commercial opportunity for Australian business.
For more information on World Expo 2025 and the Australia Pavilion visit www.expoaustralia.gov.au/
About Buchan
Buchan is an acclaimed global architecture and design studio with distinction in mixed-use, precincts, hotels and hospitality, commercial and retail sectors. For more than 130 years, Buchan has created assets of enduring architectural quality and magnitude, worldwide.
From concept through to built form, Buchan’s projects showcase good design and effective collaboration. Buchan’s vision is to positively influence life in our cities for the benefit of people and the planet.
Aligned with its expanding global presence, Buchan’s creativity and expertise is bolstered by alliances and collaborative partnerships with leading international architecture firms that add significant value for clients.