Japanese architecture studio Mitsubishi Jisho Design unveils the Mitsubishi Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka; a fully demountable structure designed with material circularity and sustainable assembly in mind. Occupying a 2,075 sq m footprint, the pavilion stands on Yumeshima, an artificial island off the coast of Osaka, and serves as the first structure visible to visitors entering through the East Gate, one of the main access points to the Expo grounds.
Conceptually, the pavilion is envisioned as “a mother ship hovering just above the ground,” reflecting Mitsubishi’s future-focused ethos and aligning with the Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Inside, visitors engage with immersive video exhibits that explore life, innovation, and technology.
Demountability is a core design driver, prompting the use of reusable materials and non-invasive construction methods. The primary structure integrates timber and steel, with steel columns and beams joined by bolts rather than welds—facilitating efficient disassembly. The foundation system features recyclable steel pipe piles, which minimize ground disruption and allow for easy site restoration after the event.
“We create a ‘short circular’ system by giving temporary construction materials new functional and aesthetic roles,” explains chief architect Takushu Arai, noting the studio’s intent to redefine traditional construction materials as integral design components.
All surface finishes are reclaimable, with construction-grade materials such as formwork panels, scaffold tubes, and industrial sheeting reinterpreted as primary façade and interior finishes. Excavated soil is retained on-site to aid in post-event land rehabilitation.
The Mitsubishi Pavilion comprises two levels above ground and one below, with entry through a partially sunken elliptical forecourt. This space is sheltered by a cantilevered platform that extends from the angular, rhombus-shaped superstructure.
Intentionally devoid of a front façade, the pavilion is designed to be visually engaging from all directions, including the East Gate Plaza and adjacent roadways. The distinctive rhomboidal form directly responds to the site’s irregular pentagonal geometry, resulting in an optimized spatial layout that satisfies both aesthetic and functional criteria.
Future plans include repurposing the timber components of the pavilion’s upper structure for new construction projects, underscoring the project’s role as a demonstration of modularity, reuse, and environmental sensitivity.
