Architects:Manuel Herz Architects

Year:2025

Photographs:Presence Switzerland,Effekt Schmiede

Category:Pavilion

Architecture:Manuel Herz, Diogo Franco, Ben Olschner, Francesca Mautone

Scenography:Bellprat Partner , Marion Haering, Saskia Gottsponer, Laura Siebold

Project Management:Iwan Funk

Creative Director:Arnau Bellprat, Xavier Bellprat

Graphics & Motion Design:Veronika Pantasis

Draftsman:Dominik Krajcir

Landscape Architecture:Robin Winogrond

City:Osaka

Country:Japan

Text description provided by the architects. From Heidi to high-tech: a showcase of Swiss collaborative innovation. The Swiss pavilion takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey through collaborative innovation. Twenty years after the country's impactful participation in Aichi, the same commissioner general will inaugurate a fresh and dynamic programme under the title From Heidi to High-Tech. This narrative reflects Switzerland's evolution from its iconic Alpine heritage to a globally recognised hub of cutting-edge technology and innovation. Beloved by generations in Japan, the timeless figure of Heidi will serve as the pavilion's official mascot, embodying the spirit of friendship between the two nations. The Swiss Pavilion presents a unique opportunity to deepen the already strong bilateral ties, particularly as Japan stands as Switzerland's most significant partner in Asia for science and technology. This collaboration aims to inspire new exchanges with a forward-looking perspective.

On behalf of Prescene Switzerland, the pavilion was designed and built by the collaborating team of NUSSLI Group (general contractor), Manuel Herz Architects (architecture), Bellprat Partner (scenography), and Robin Winogrond (landscape architecture). The pavilion: sustainable design meets Swiss creativity. As Expo 2025 provides a platform for sharing expertise on a sustainable future, Switzerland aimed to contribute by building a pavilion with minimal environmental impact. This is achieved through a lightweight membrane structure that forms the four interconnected spheres on the pavilion's ground floor. The scenography, which evokes a sense of lightness and joy, guides visitors through an interactive and informative experience showcasing Swiss excellence in innovation and creativity, with a focus on three major themes for Switzerland at the expo — Augmented Human, Life, and Planet.

Sphere 1 | Values. A giant paper-cut installation sets the stage, immersing visitors in the Swiss values of collaboration and innovation. The paper-cut installation consists of three layers and, thanks to the resulting parallax effect, constantly reveals new images to visitors. Sphere 2 | Visions. This sphere allows visitors to share their visions for the future by whispering them into an interactive installation. Doing so, the spoken visions get transformed into a bubbling art spectacle. With the help of AI technology, the most frequently mentioned visions are evaluated and presented to visitors as they exit the room. Sphere 3 | Anticipation. Changing every two months, this sphere highlights today's technological progress and tomorrow's visionary breakthroughs, spanning the Augmented Human, Life, and Planet themes. These Swiss innovations are presented on dichroic glasses and combined with an innovative play of light, they illuminate the entire room. Sphere 4 | Joy. Finally, visitors will immerse themselves in an environment that embodies the joy and creativity at the heart of Switzerland's cultural and technological innovations, with Heidi serving as a symbol of the country's inventive spirit.

Shop & Rooftop Café. Visitors also have the opportunity to take home Swiss souvenirs or have a chat and drink in the Heidi Café, located in the highest sphere floating over the pavilion and offering a breathtaking view over the Expo 2025 Osaka.

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