Expo Osaka

2025 pavilion showcases Slovenia as the green heart of Europe, highlighting its most distinctive natural identity—its forests, which cover 60% of the country's territory. The design demonstrates Slovenia's commitment to actively respond to alarming environmental challenges with an ecological pavilion founded on core sustainable and circular principles: zero waste, minimal transportation, low energy consumption, and innovative ecological materials. How can we create a universal and uniquely memorable experience for every EXPO visitor while significantly reducing our carbon footprint? Slovenian forests absorb approximately 7.5 million tons of CO2 annually and produce around 5.5 million tons of O2.

Furthermore, the availability of wood is abundant. Instead of constructing a prefabricated »sustainable" CLT timber pavilion that would require transportation and assembly in Japan, followed by dismantling and relocating back to Slovenia, we propose renting a local supporting structure (scaffolding system) to significantly minimize our carbon footprint for the EXPO presentation by approximately 87,600 kg CO2). Universal accessibility was the primary guiding principle for designing the pavilion's route.

The pavilion has no stairs; visitors navigate through a system of gently ascending ramps, ensuring equal access for everyone. The path guides visitors through a series of exhibition artifacts within the exhibition space, leading further to the forest rooftop with unique local gastronomy, providing shade and shelter, and then down a second ramp towards the shop and bar before the exit. A circular route serves as a journey through the topography of Slovenia. All seventeen Slovenian tree species from the temporary roof forest will be donated to Japan as a diplomatic gift after the closure of EXPO.

This reflects Slovenia's profound ecological awareness and foresight for a sustainable environment and community. *Unfortunately, the pavilion will not be built; the funds allocated for its construction will instead be used to recover from the devastating floods in Slovenia in 2023.