Meet the design winner of the 2025 World Expo for the Czech Republic. This groundbreaking PEFC-certified wood structure with a glazed façade is poised to inspire the world with its use of sustainable materials.

The eye-catching pavilion is located in a prominent position next to the ocean front. Visitors can look forward to a 260-meter-long educational trail, with views of Osaka Bay, and a multifunctional auditorium that will offer a rich program throughout the entire exhibition. The interior exhibition space of 402 m² has widths from 1.8 to 7 metres wide and 12 metres high.

The design concept, rooted in the principle of raw material efficiency, ensures rapid on-site assembly using a mass-customised cross-laminated timber (CLT) kit of parts, Sylva™ CLT Walls and Floors by Stora Enso and manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Kit of parts construction

The circular floor plan is divided into thirty-six equal sections using rational geometry, which are structurally and visually inscribed into the whole building. Japan has a very long and rich history of building with wood dating over a thousand years. In fact, Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, Japan was built in 607 AD and is the world's oldest surviving wood building.

Stora Enso has been delivering posts and beams and sawn wood to Japan for many, many years. The adoption of mass timber has been increasing in the region due to its sustainability, cost efficiency, and design flexibility. The pavilion will undoubtedly showcase beautifully how unique buildings can be constructed using a kit of parts with Sylva™ by Stora Enso.

Seismic tests

Due to the geographical location and weather conditions, (which include frequent tornadoes and earthquakes), a series of important engineering calculations had to be carried out to comply with local regulations. However, given that CLT has naturally very good seismic properties, the Sylva kit met all of the required tests successfully and now erected, it is one of the tallest wooden structure in Japan. 

Transport

Transport to Japan was the lowest emission possible, first to Hamburg and then by sea in a total of 50 shipping containers.

Design for reuse

The design is optimised for the easiest possible assembly on site and subsequent dismantling after the event.

Construction timeline

Construction work began in mid-September 2024. By mid-December, the structure was completed, after which glazing was applied to the spiral.

The World Expo will be open from April to October 2025.

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Advantages to building with mass timber - Download the white paper

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