EXPO OSAKA 2025 

leave minimal mark

open international competition - 1st prize

 
 
 

UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY was the main guiding principle for the design of the pavilion's route. The pavilion has no stairs, the path via a system of inclined ramps is equal for all and takes the visitor through a series of exhibition artefacts to the exhibition space and on to the forest and gastronomy on the roof, and down a second ramp slowly to the shop and bar before the exit.

The pavilion highlights Slovenia as the green heart of Europe, with a holistic experience of a gently ascending path through the pavilion structure, to the exhibition space and to the rooftop, where the visitor experiences the interactive reality of Slovenia: a forest with a unique gastronomic experience. Slovenia's most distinctive natural identity is the Slovenian forest, which accounts for 60% of the country's land area and ranks Slovenia 3rd in Europe in forest cover. The Slovenian forest consumes around 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, some of which is bound in wood, and produces around 5.5 million tonnes of O2.

The pavilion's design is based on the key principles of the circular economy, creating a uniquely memorable experience with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Instead of dismantling and relocating the pavilion in SLO, we propose to rent a local supporting structure (scaffolding system), which reduces the carbon emissions (by approx. 87,600 kg CO2, calculated for a comparable wooden structure made in Slovenia) due to the transport distance of 35,400 km (SLO-JP-SLO) enormously. The remaining building materials (mainly Slovenian wood) are reused. The trees of the temporary forest will be donated to the State of Japan as a sign of confirmation of economic and cultural relations. This reflects Slovenia's deep ecological awareness and far-sightedness for sustainable development and interconnection.

 
 

location: Tokyo, Japan
project date: 2023
completion date: 2025
area: 1.142 m2
type: competition
client: The Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport
source: open international competition, 1st prize

competition team: Aljoša Dekleva, Tina Gregorič; Martin Kruh, Jan Žužek, Emma Cecchel, Maja Šket.