Blue Ocean Dome by Shigeru Ban – A Beacon of Sustainable Innovation at Expo 2025 Osaka

Architect Shigeru Ban’s Blue Ocean Dome at Expo 2025 Osaka is a groundbreaking pavilion that fuses elegant design with radical sustainability. Composed of three interconnected domes—each constructed with a different recyclable material—the pavilion showcases Ban’s signature mastery in lightweight, low-impact architecture. Dome A features laminated bamboo, a refined alternative to natural bamboo that meets Japan’s strict building codes. Dome B, the centerpiece, uses aerospace-grade carbon fiber-reinforced plastic tubes to eliminate the need for concrete foundations—dramatically reducing the structure’s footprint and allowing for rapid disassembly.

Dome C, a sculptural exit space made of Ban’s iconic cardboard tubes, completes the trio with a nod to his legacy of paper-based construction. Designed in collaboration with Kenya Hara, the interior hosts immersive experiences that spotlight the fragility and beauty of our oceans.

More than a pavilion, the Blue Ocean Dome is a manifesto for the future of architecture: circular, conscious, and profoundly compelling.