Expo 2025 Osaka – Inspiration from Japan

At Minimal Design, we actively seek global insights that can influence how we design for the unique landscapes of Wanaka and Queenstown, New Zealand. Our recent trip to Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan offered a rich blend of inspiration, reminding us of the importance of place, culture, and experience in architecture.

The overall venue of Expo 2025 is an architectural achievement in its own right. Its defining feature, the enormous timber ring structure, stands as a state-of-the-art example of sustainable mega-scale construction. Its scale, detail, and use of natural materials directly resonate with our principles at Minimal Design, where we emphasise context, environment, and material honesty in every project.

What stood out beyond the architectural form was Japan itself. The trip was a deep dive into Japanese cuisine, design sensibility, and culture. The flawless efficiency of urban infrastructure, public transport, and pedestrian-oriented planning in Osaka presented a real-world case study in functional beauty. From food halls to city plazas, we found daily inspiration in how architecture supports life seamlessly and gracefully.

Surprisingly, one notable absence at such a globally visible event was New Zealand. The country had no national pavilion at the time of our visit, and it's unclear why, especially given the extraordinary marketing exposure that this event offers on the world stage.

This visit reinvigorated our design mindset. It reminded us that while high-tech presentations are important, nothing replaces the experience of being immersed in well-designed spaces.