Dreamed up by global design practice Buchan, this striking pavilion casts Australia in a fresh light for all the world to see.

Australia has arrived in Osaka – vivid, unfiltered and alive with stories – as the Australia Pavilion opens its doors at World Expo 2025. Dreamed up by global design practice Buchan, this striking pavilion casts Australia in a fresh light for the world to see.

Carrying the theme ‘Chasing the Sun’, the Australia Pavilion draws its form and soul from one of the country’s quiet icons: the eucalyptus. The façade bursts in a riot of colour, echoing the cracking open of a gumnut, a symbol of renewal and unbound potential. It’s a perfect fit for the expo’s broader vision, ‘Designing future society for our Lives’, celebrating ideas that shape the world to come.

Lead architect Nataly Ernst calls it a proud moment for Buchan. “It’s a privilege to tell Australia’s story on the world stage and honour the deep connection between Australia and Japan,” she says.

A living canvas of culture and creativity

The pavilion envelopes visitors in a light, tensile fabric – a canvas alive with shifting shadows and stories. Inside, a sensory-rich journey unfolds: an immersive exhibition, a lively forecourt cultural precinct and a special event zone designed for business and celebration.

Buchan worked side-by-side with Indigenous advisors Karrda to weave the spirit of Country into the space. Every element, from concept to experience, nods to the land and the ancient wisdom of First Nations Australians. The exhibition itself takes visitors on a sun-chasing bushwalk across land, sea and sky Country, guided by the ancient map of songlines that have connected people and places for millennia.

Creative lead Dong Uong says the space is more than an exhibition, it’s a sensory journey. “It follows the sun’s path through Country, blending sound, light and story in a way that speaks to thousands of years of knowledge.”

A gathering place for culture, ideas and opportunity

Beyond the exhibition, the pavilion spills out into a landscaped forecourt. A yarning circle calls people together to connect, listen and share. Nearby, an Australian café plates up flavours of home, while a vibrant program of music, dance, film and performance celebrates Australia’s pulse and personality.

The Special Event Zone offers four distinct function spaces, dressed in textures and colours that reflect the land, sea and sky. Here, the spotlight falls on Australian innovation, business and culture, as the nation deepens ties with Japan and opens fresh commercial doors.

Built for now, with tomorrow in mind

The pavilion’s steel frame, recycled from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, holds a light-permeable fabric shell, catching the movement of sun and shadow through the day. Every design choice, from the lightweight structure to the quick-build, low-waste approach, minimises the environmental footprint while maximising the visitor experience.

“World Expos are a laboratory for ideas,” Ernst says. “They’re a place for architects to test new thinking, and we’re thrilled to have created something that reflects Australia’s design ingenuity.”

World Expo 2025 Osaka runs from 13 April to 13 October 2025, a six-month global gathering of ideas, culture and innovation with more than 150 nations and an expected 28 million visitors. For Australia, it’s a chance to spark conversations, forge partnerships and showcase its people, culture and ideas to the world.

Images provided.

For more Japanese-inspired design, check out Prefecture 48 on ADR.