The Pavilion aiming to be the lightest at the Expo: A blend of “playfulness” and “sustainability”

WIRED Japan visited EXPO 2025 in Osaka and spoke with Manuel Herz, head of the Basel-based firm Manuel Herz Architects and the designer of the Swiss Pavilion. Read the full article here, or continue for a condensed version of his interview.

What was Manuel’s reason for building a pavilion that looked like it was floating toward the sky?
“I pursued lightness because I was thinking about ecological footprint,” says Manuel. For him, it’s important to express positive feelings such as joy or optimism through architecture. “I was also inspired by architecture that engages with climate change, a global issue we all share.”

“How much does your building weigh?”
This question, asked by the architect Buckminster Fuller, inspired Manuel to design a lightweight pavilion. “Weight is directly linked to environmental impact”, says Manuel. Nature is another key element to the construction. “Like Japan, Switzerland benefits immensely from the natural world. Technology, nature, research, and curiosity are tightly intertwined throughout the pavilion.”

Visiting and taking part at the EXPO is more important than ever.
“Especially in today’s politically divided and tense world, I believe it’s meaningful to physically gather in one space—to share at least a bit of a sense of cosmopolitanism and internationalism, and to be inspired by other cultures and nations. On a larger scale, I think what’s essential is to sustain such opportunities.”