Osaka Expo 2025: 'Grand Roof' Construction Underway
Preparations are underway for Expo 2025 Osaka, and work has begun to build a remarkable 2km wooden roof, named the Grand Roof, on Yumeshima, a man-made island in southern Osaka Bay. The Expo follows the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, which attracted over 24 million visitors in just six months.
Construction Commences on Unique Wooden Roof for Expo 2025 Osaka
The construction process involves workers assembling the roof structure using traditional Japanese techniques found in ancient temples, without the use of nails. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition highlighted the symbolic significance of the roof, representing unity and connection. The massive wooden structure will utilize approximately 20,000 cubic meters of wood, making it one of the largest of its kind globally.
Connecting People and Cultures
The Grand Roof, with its unique design, serves as a connecting point for visitors to view the numerous pavilions representing participating countries. The association emphasized that ascending to the grand roof provides an opportunity to connect with the sky and behold the vastness of the ocean, symbolizing unity in diversity. The estimated cost of constructing the five-storey high roof amounts to around 35 billion yen ($249 million). Its construction will take two years, and upon completion, it will offer visitors a panoramic bird's-eye view of the World's Fair site while providing shade from the sun.
An Architectural Vision
Architect Sou Fujimoto, responsible for the roof's design, aims to present a positive vision for the future. He envisions a large ringlike platform that brings people and cultures from diverse worlds together, fostering connections and shared experiences. The architect emphasized that this space represents a place where thoughts are united, respect is upheld, and special experiences are shared. Fujimoto promised a unique and immersive experience for visitors, with more details about the plans to be revealed in the lead-up to the event. The sloping roof will feature vantage points offering unobstructed views of the expo site and the sea, while floral and green elements will adorn the 30m wide wooden structure, varying in height from 12m to 20m.
Exploring Future Societies
Expo 2025 Osaka will delve into the theme of "Designing the Future Society of Our Lives" and explore the transformative potential of communities. The waterfront zone, shaped like a crescent, will host water-based events, while the western section of the site will provide an open space for outdoor activities and presentations of best practices from various sectors. The expo is scheduled to run from April to October 2025, marking Japan's third time hosting a World Expo and the second for Osaka, which hosted Asia's inaugural World Expo in 1970. The bidding process for Expo 2030 has already commenced, with Saudi Arabia, Rome, South Korea, and Ukraine vying to host the event. The final decision will be announced in November in Paris.
