Qatar has unveiled its design for the national pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, created with Qatar Museums and designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Inspired by Qatar’s dhow boat construction and Japan’s wood joinery, the pavilion showcases a complex wooden structure draped in white fabric, echoing the sails of historic dhows that linked Qatar and Japan through maritime trade across the Indian Ocean. Read SURFACES REPORTER (SR)’s complete report below:
The pavilion blends traditional craftsmanship from Qatar and Japan, celebrating their maritime connection as a hub for trade and knowledge exchange. From April 13 to October 13, 2025, the exhibition will showcase Qatar’s innovations across various fields.
Inside the Pavillion
Inside the Kengo Kuma & Associates-designed Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, visitors discover Qatar's present and future.
The exhibition, under its lightweight tensile roof and timber structure, showcases Qatar's progress towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 goals and investment opportunities outlined in the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030. Additionally, the pavilion explores the cultural and trade connections that bind Qatar and its partners.
Spotlight on Expo 2025 Osaka
The Qatar Pavilion, spanning 1,200 square meters, is a prominent feature at Expo 2025. Construction started in April, highlighting its significance as a focal point. Aligned with the Expo’s theme, ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives,’ the pavilion strengthens Qatar-Japan ties, showcasing Qatar’s rapid development and potential as a top tourist destination.
Kengo Kuma & Associates’ design for the Qatar Pavilion joins other innovative national pavilions at Expo 2025, including SANAA’s ethereal Better Co-being pavilion, Mario Cucinella Architects’ Italian Pavilion, Lina Ghotmeh’s National Pavilion of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Foster + Partners’ village-like Saudi Arabia Pavilion—all integrated within a timber masterplan by Sou Fujimoto.