UK Pavilion Expo 2025, Osaka

To demonstrate a positive long-term environmental approach, the Pavilion was designed to be all-electric, and to employ a circular economy, designed for the disassembly and reuse of the component parts after the expo. Elements such as the external façade, structure, and floor plate are modular, concrete-free and can be taken apart and reused or adapted for other uses. Some elements were previously used for events such as the Tokyo Olympics and Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Much of the material was procured on a lease basis and will be returned at the end of the project. 

The main electrical challenge was reconciling Japan's voltage and phase standards with those in the UK. The mechanical challenge was understanding the best way to provide cooling and ventilation in the environment, given Osaka’s climate, which has higher temperatures and humidity than the UK. 

The landscape, designed by Fira Landscape Architecture, celebrates the collective appreciation for British and Japanese gardens and the serene countryside of both nations. To support the gardens, a condensate recycling system was designed, which recovers water from cooling outside air and reuses it at night to water the lawn and gardens. 

As part of the EXPO regulations, the design, including our MEP design, has been assessed against CASBEE, the Japanese equivalent of BREEAM, and has achieved an A rating. 

The acoustic design focused on achieving an environment that would support audio exhibits and provide appropriate sound insulation between the individual performances that form the visitor experience. As the Pavilion’s design was temporary, modular, and lightweight, additional layers of acoustic buffering were required to prevent sound from travelling through the prefabricated floors, walls, and ceilings. Max Fordham also advised on how to keep mechanical plant noise emissions within the limits set by the EXPO regulations.