UK Pavilion
at Expo 2025 in Osaka,
design: WOO architects
At the southern end of the Expo 2025 site in Osaka, overlooking the water square, stood a structure that not only represents the UK, but also tells its story through the lens of innovation. The pavilion, designed by London-based studio WOO architects and realized by ES Global, is much more than a temporary structure - it's a space that connects the industrial revolution to the digital age, opening visitors to reflect on how the past shapes our tomorrow.
The UK pavilion was built at the southern end of the Expo 2025 site in Osaka
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
code written in aluminum
The pavilion's facades are eye-catching - not only in their sculptural form, but also in their meaning. Made of perforated aluminum, they were inspired by the cards used on 19th-century weaving looms - the first "programmable" machines.
The UK pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - a view of the pavilion at night
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
It's a clear reference to Britain's legacy of innovation: from the Industrial Revolution, to computer science pioneers such as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, to modern-day pixel-coding computer games and film effects.
The pavilion's facades are made of perforated aluminum
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
The structure is constantly changing - the perforations respond to light, and after dark the facades turn into a large-format light screen on which animations, including the outline of the British flag and the PIX mascot character, ripple. The lighting created by Speirs Major gives the building the character of a living organism - as if the architecture is breathing, adapting to the rhythm of the day.
After dark, the facades turn into a large-format light screen on which animations ripple
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
a pavilion that can disappear - and return elsewhere
In designing the pavilion, WOO and ES Global opted for full mobility. The building was based on the Global Modular System - a structure based on 10 x 10 meter modules that can be completely dismantled and reused. This is an answer to the challenges of contemporary temporary architecture: how to build responsibly without sacrificing quality and function?
The UK pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka was based on modules
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
Instead of a footprint in the landscape - a footprint in memory. The pavilion can be relocated, transformed, reused, fitting into a circular economy. Lightweight foundations minimize interference with the site, and the choice of construction materials - steel, aluminum, wood - was guided by the principle of sustainable design.
The UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - axonometric diagram
© WOO architects
a story of innovation - inside and out
The heart of the pavilion is the "Let's Build the Future" exhibition , developed by Immersive International. Visitors embark on a 20-minute journey through the history of British creativity - from inventions that changed the fate of the world to contemporary breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology. The exhibition space blends seamlessly with the gardens surrounding the pavilion - designed by Fira Landscape as a reference to the British landscape. The natural greenery and water don't just play an aesthetic role - they are an extension of the narrative of harmony, balance and the future of sustainable architecture.
The UK pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - interior of the pavilion.
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
British culture, served up in tea and light
Inside the pavilion are zones that highlight the everyday, cultural dimensions of British identity. The restaurant is reminiscent of a classic tea room - with a neutral color scheme, Liberty wallpaper and a simple, traditional menu. The ability to dine outside, in the garden, enhances the sense of immersion in the landscape.
The UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - elevation drawing
© WOO architects
One floor above is the Johnnie Walker bar - a space with a mirrored ceiling and a view of the lagoon. It serves premium spirits from across the UK, becoming an informal national lounge where architecture, gastronomy and landscape create a shared experience.
UK pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - Johnnie Walker bar
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
architecture as a statement
The UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 is an example of how contemporary temporary architecture can transcend its representative function. Emma Owens, director of WOO and lead designer of the pavilion, put it accurately:
Our global reputation for innovation and creativity shines through at every turn, and the facade reflects our natural curiosity and ability to see the opportunity in every challenge.
The UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka - the lighting created by Speirs Major gives the building the feel of a living organism
© Hufton+Crow, WOO architects
The words of Carolyn Davidson, Commissioner General of the United Kingdom, are equally apt:
Every great discovery began with a simple idea.
A project that was supposed to be a national showcase has become a space for a universal message. It shows how to design responsibly, beautifully and smartly - without sacrificing content or technology. The pavilion speaks with the voice of the past about a future we don't yet know - but which we can co-create.
Compiled by Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of WOO architects.
