London-based Woo Architects, in collaboration with Japanese contractor ES Global recently unveiled its design for the UK Pavilion at the Expo 2025 in Osaka. The pavilion’s modular, 10-by-10-metre gridded structure is built on the principles of a circular economy, prioritizing ease of assembly, disassembly and relocation.
The pavilion’s design reflects the Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and embodies sustainability and reuse. Central to the pavilion’s concept is the Global Modular System, a construction approach developed by ES Global to ensure rapid deployment, efficiency, and adaptability.
This system enables the structure to meet stringent fire, thermal, and structural standards while minimizing foundation requirements. Additionally, it is designed to support renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind power, further enhancing its sustainability. Post-Expo, the building materials and components will be repurposed for other uses, emphasizing long-term adaptability.
The UK Pavilion is part of a growing trend among national pavilions to embrace modular and circular design principles. Other notable examples include the Spanish Pavilion, “The Kuroshio Current,” which utilizes recycled and sustainable materials in its circular form, and the German Pavilion, designed by LAVA Architects, which focuses on the circular economy and achieving zero waste.
Image courtesy: archdaily.com
