Composing the Future, Austria Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka – Photo by ©BWM Designers & Architects.
Architecture. At the Austria Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, music becomes a metaphor for the harmony between humanity, nature, and technology. Titled Composing the Future, the pavilion by BWM Designers & Architects features a striking, 91-meter-long, 4.3-meter-wide “ribbon” that rises towards the sky, paying homage to the nation’s rich classical music legacy. The structure’s inner surface resembles a musical staff, showcasing the opening notes of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Inside, the experience culminates with the Cathedral of the Future, where visitors can shape AI-driven audiovisual shows.
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Photo by ©ExpoAustria.
“Besides music, Austria and Japan are united in their deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, particularly timber construction.” BWM Designers & Architects told Archipanic. “As a building material, wood is both classic and highly modern and forward-looking. Given the increasing need to reduce CO₂-intensive construction methods, wood plays an ever-growing role.”
Composing the Future, Austria Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka – Photo by ©BWM Designers & Architects.
The pavilion is directly linked to the wooden spiral and is designed as a modular steel structure. It can be easily disassembled into its components and reused following the Expo. The single-storey exhibition hall, covering 490 sqm, is divided into three spaces.
Photo by ©Stefan Schilling.
In the initial area, the music staff transforms into a vibrant projection surface. Visitors here experience the deep connection between Austria and Japan through an engaging musical introduction. After this, they proceed to large interactive notes, allowing them to playfully investigate the variety and strengths of Austria’s economic and social landscape.
Photo by ©Stefan Schilling.
The final room showcases the highlight of the exhibition: the Cathedral of the Future. Here, visitors actively interact with the future and are encouraged to partake in its composition. “In Austria, the future is not merely designed; rather, it is composed.”
Photo by ©Stefan Schilling.
The first floor houses offices and a VIP lounge. The second floor features a café with seating up to 50 guests, providing a relaxing spot and event space. Guests reach this area via a stunning staircase incorporated into the wooden sculpture, which extends up to the fourth floor and culminates in an observation deck. The forecourt in front of the pavilion includes a welcome kiosk, a small shop, and culinary delights.
Photo by ©Stefan Schilling.
All the photos of Composing the Future, Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, are by ©Stefan Schilling, ©Expo Austria, and ©BWM Designers & Architects.
Photo by ©BWM Designers & Architects.
