The striking concept design for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka has been unveiled by the Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell.
The pavilion and exhibition are the work of global design firm Buchan. Lead Architect, Nataly Ernst, says Buchan’s design is a celebration of Country and its importance to future societies, and reflects Australia’s Expo theme ‘Chasing the Sun’.
“It’s an expression of Australia’s warmth, energy and optimism, and our diverse landscape,” says Ernst. “Buchan’s pavilion and exhibition design harnesses Australia’s unique, natural beauty as a canvas for sharing our stories and culture.”
The pavilion’s form is an abstraction of a eucalyptus gumnut. The ubiquitous eucalyptus tree, with its myriad shapes and colours, is symbolic of the diversity and resilience of Australian people. In and around the pavilion, the colours of the eucalypts and their gum blossoms will reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Australian society.
The perspectives, experiences and interests of Indigenous Australians are integral to the narrative informing the design. Indigenous cultural advisor Karrda is working with the design team to embed Country into the pavilion, amplifying Indigenous culture, connection to land and water, and ways of knowing.
Buchan Creative Lead on the project, Dong Uong, says the exhibition design will take visitors on an immersive, sensory journey. “The exhibition will chase the sun across land and water, moving from day into night and between real and surreal. Visitors will engage with Australia’s physical beauty whilst learning about our culture and achievements.”
Ernst highlights Buchan’s Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) aspirations. “Our goal with the pavilion is to make an indelible impact, without leaving a trace. The architecture is guided by sustainable design principles, materials, and delivery methodology”.
The Pavilion will support the programming, cultural, and social imperatives of Australia’s Expo participation. These include deepening Australia’s relationship with Japan, giving Australian businesses access to a global audience, and showcasing contemporary Australia to the world.
“Buchan is excited to work with our consultant team on this significant project, which will showcase our nation’s creativity and ingenuity,” says Ernst. “The pavilion will be a platform for promoting Australia’s technological and economic capabilities, and our unique culture and personality.”
The Australian Pavilion consultant team working alongside Buchan as Lead Designer includes Nikken Sekkei – Local Architect, structural and building services consulting engineers, Japan; McGregor Coxall – Landscape; and Barbara Bynder, Karrda Pty Ltd – Indigenous Cultural Advisor.
About Expo 2025 Osaka
Expo 2025 Osaka, ‘Designing Future Society for our Lives’, will focus on developing and adopting best practices from around the world to drive co-creation by the global community in designing a sustainable society that supports social challenges, emerging sciences and evolving technologies.
Australia is participating in Expo 2025 alongside more than 150 nations, for six months from April to October 2025. Expo organisers are expecting 28 million visitors which represents an incredible commercial opportunity for Australian business.
For more information on Expo Osaka 2025 and the Australia Pavilion visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/expo-2025-osaka
About Buchan
Buchan is an acclaimed global architecture, interior, masterplanning and brand-experience studio with distinction in retail, commercial, mixed-use, residential, hotels and hospitality.
For 130 years, Buchan has created architecture and design of enduring quality and magnitude, worldwide. Buchan’s extensive portfolio spans boutique, intimate settings through to large-scale buildings and urbanscapes.
Buchan’s diverse and talented global team of 250 design experts operate from 8 studios across 11 regions.
Lead Designer/ Architect
Buchan
Buchan Design Team
Nataly Ernst – Lead Architect
Dong Uong – Creative Lead
Rob Baxter – Project Designer
Crispin Schurr – Project Architect
Courte Harlow – Computational Designer
Long Tran – Senior Architect
Carol Leung – Architect and Interior Designer
Sandrine Jouffre – Interior Designer
Leon Yang – Architect
Rafe Delaney – Exhibition Design
John McCrystal – Exhibition Design
Dave Philpott – BIM Lead
Andrew Mackenzie and Ashley Sheppard – Project Principals
David Forbes, Harriet O’Reilly, Will Perkin, Arno Pieters, Mark Lynch, Shaun Miller, Xavier Bruggeman, Brad Ric-Hansen, Alice Marshall, Patrick Shirley
Project Consultant Team
Nikken Sekkei – Local Architect, structural and building services consulting engineers, Japan
McGregor Coxall – Landscape Architect
Karrda Pty Ltd – Indigenous Cultural Advisor
Initial Concept Consultants
AECOM – Engineering
MGAC – DDA/ Access
Dr Chetana Andary – Exhibition Content Curator, Australia
Tanseisha Co. Ltd – Local Exhibition Design (Japan)