Structural engineering design for Better Co-Being Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Better Co-Being Pavilion, a signature pavilion at the 2025 Osaka Expo, celebrates harmony between people and nature. Produced by data science and value co-creation expert Hiroaki Miyata and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, it features an open, wall-less, ceiling-less design.

At the centre of the structure is a silver, 4-layered grid canopy that appears to float 8m above the ground. Supported by slender, 267mm-diameter columns spaced about 8m apart, the canopy blends with the surrounding trees, resembling a forest of trunks. Carefully engineered columns and joints create a ‘gravity-defying’ visual effect, forming a seamless fusion of architecture and nature while serving as a framework for art installations.

We worked closely with SANAA, playing a critical role in the concept and schematic design of the pavilion, while also overseeing detailed design and on-site supervision – striving throughout to balance artistic vision with structural integrity. Our team provided precise calculations and consulting services to ensure the canopy’s lightness and stability while enabling integration of large-scale art installations.

This structural ingenuity supports the pavilion’s immersive, open design, creating a unique space that enhances the visitor experience at the 2025 Osaka Expo.