Germany, known for beer, sausage and famous philosophers such as Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche, wants to impress visitors to the 2025 World Expo with a new focus on circular economy and sustainability.
The pavilion consists of seven circular wooden buildings made of reusable materials and is called “Wa! Germany.”
The photo provided shows an artistic interpretation of the German pavilion for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, which includes circular wooden buildings made of reusable materials. (Copyright MIR_LAVA_facts and fiction)(Kyodo)
The word “wa” means “circle” in Japanese and also has connotations such as “harmony,” in this case between nature and technology, which is the goal of a circular economy. But the word is also meant to express an enthusiastic “wow.”
Visitors are greeted by a round mascot named Circular, inspired by Japan’s “kawaii” (cute) culture. A palm-sized version of Circular, which serves as an audio guide, helps guests navigate the pavilion.
The pavilion will minimize resource consumption during construction and use reusable materials as well as smart climate control systems and green spaces. The aim is to demonstrate solutions for creating a circular society in which economic activities coexist with nature.
“Everything is based on the idea of circularity or – translated into design terms – the shape of the circle: the pavilion itself, the visitor experience, the design, the technologies and visions of the future presented,” said Andreas Horbelt, creative director of facts and fiction, an agency responsible for the exhibition design, on its website.
“Visitors to the exhibition embark on an emotional and multisensory journey in which they discover tangible visions of life in a circular society,” the website also states.
The photo provided shows an artistic implementation of the German pavilion for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. (Copyright German Expo Pavilion/Facts and Fiction) (Kyodo)
In addition to the exhibition area, the pavilion will feature a restaurant called “Oishii! Germany” where visitors can enjoy currywurst, a popular street food in Berlin, and traditional beef stew. “Oishii” means “delicious” in Japanese.
The souvenir shop “Omiyage! Germany” is expected to sell items such as beer mugs and Christmas decorations.
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A guide to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka
