Japanese studio Sou Fujimoto Architects has released construction photos of The Grand Ring, a vast wooden structure that will encircle the pavilions at the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka.

The photos reveal the progress on the 60,000-square-metre structure, which is being built on the artificial island Yumeshima in Osaka Bay in time for the international fair in April.

Sou Fujimoto Architects has released construction photos of The Grand Ring

Sou Fujimoto Architects is leading the Expo 2025 Osaka masterplan in collaboration with fellow Japanese studios Tohata Architects & Engineers and Azusa Sekkei.

According to the event organisers, the structure is intended to serve as a symbol of unity between the 161 participating countries.

The vast wooden structure will encircle the pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka

In a recent interview with Dezeen, the studio’s founder Sou Fujimoto said the event will be a chance for “wonderful unity” amid global instability.

“Expos bring all the wonder of each different country and then stay there for six months,” he said. “And this format I thought is very precious, especially in this crisis of the global situation.”

Its design references traditional Japanese timber construction

Once complete, The Grand Ring will have a circumference of two kilometres and a diameter of 700 metres.

While acting as a symbol of connection and togetherness, it is intended as a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese timber construction, such as that used to construct the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto.

It will also serve as the event’s main circulation route, a visitor shelter and an observation deck.

Within the circle, Sou Fujimoto Architects will divide the site into three zones, named Pavilion World, Water World and Green World, across which the pavilions will be organised.

Among the pavilions will be an undulating structure designed by Shigeru Ban and built from paper tubes, bamboo and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic.

It will incorporate an observation deck

Led by Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Expo 2025 Osaka will be held for six months in 2025, following its opening on 13 April.

The national pavilions to be revealed so far include a “canyon” designed by Trahan Architects for the USA and a cluster of angular volumes for Saudi Arabia that Foster and Partners is modelling on the kingdom’s traditional villages.

The photography is courtesy of Sou Fujimoto Architects.

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