From April to October this year, Expo 2025 will take place in Osaka, Japan, bringing around 150 countries and nearly thirty million visitors to the artificial island of Yumeshima. The overarching theme will be “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, and I believe the true challenge of this edition will be the ability of each pavilion to deliver meaningful messages connected to the central theme. For this reason, I explored one of the most compelling projects: the Blue Ocean Dome.
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban for the non-profit organization Zeri Japan, the pavilion is a model of sustainable and circular architecture. The structure consists of a large central dome flanked by two smaller ones, all clad in polycarbonate and designed to be easily dismantled and reused. The choice of materials reflects Ban’s philosophy: the entrance dome is built with laminated bamboo, while the exit dome features his signature cardboard tubes.
Curated by NDC, the exhibition concept focuses on the theme of “Revitalization of the Ocean”, shedding light on the most pressing challenges facing our seas: climate change, plastic pollution, and the decline of marine resources. Immersive installations create powerful and memorable experiences, from water displays using super-hydrophobic coatings to 360° projections on a 10-meter hemispherical screen, along with documentaries exploring potential strategies for ocean recovery.
To complete the visitor experience, a dedicated publication compiles the pavilion’s content and messages, reinforcing its educational value. The Blue Ocean Dome is more than just an exhibition space—it is a statement of how architecture can drive sustainable innovation and raise awareness on critical issues shaping the future of our planet.
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