UAE pavilion at expo 2025 osaka soars 16 meters high with 90 palm-made columns

uae pavilion at expo 2025 in osaka

The UAE Pavilion opened its doors at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, offering visitors an immersive celebration of Emirati heritage, sustainability, and innovation. Spearheaded by the UAE Expo Office and designed by the Earth to Ether Design Collective, the pavilion brings together Emirati, Japanese, and international expertise in architecture, design, and storytelling. Its iconic structure, inspired by the date palm, features 90 soaring rachis columns reaching up to 16 meters, while the interior invites guests on a multisensory journey highlighting the UAE’s contributions to space exploration, healthcare, and environmental stewardship.

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is a testament to global collaboration, uniting Emirati, Japanese, and international expertise | all images courtesy of UAE Pavilion

traditional emirati architecture meets cutting-edge materials

The UAE Pavilion in Osaka builds on a rich history of global collaborations, tracing back to Expo ’70 and continuing with Expo 2020 Dubai. By combining traditional Emirati architecture with cutting-edge materials and cross-cultural design expertise, the pavilion embodies a forward-looking vision while honoring heritage. It stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between the UAE and Japan and demonstrates how design can serve as a bridge between cultures, traditions, and innovations.

At the heart of the Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion is the Earth to Ether Design Collective, an interdisciplinary team integrating architecture, engineering, technology, and craft. Emirati leadership from Mariam Almemari, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Shamma Al Bastaki, and Omar Al Suwaidi guided the project, collaborating with international partners such as Rimond from Milan, Japanese woodworking experts Process Iguchi and Shelter, German experience designers Atelier Brückner, UAE-based storytellers R/O/U/Y/A, and Danish-Norwegian landscape specialists SLA. This global network ensured the pavilion is not only visually striking but also culturally resonant and experientially engaging.

the entrance features Datecrete pavers, sustainable cement alternative, a pioneering Emirati innovation made from crushed date seeds

the pavilion’s pavers are made from crushed date seeds

The pavilion’s signature 90 rachis columns are crafted from agricultural date palm waste sourced through a novel supply chain co-developed with farmers across the UAE and MENA region. This approach mixes sustainable practices with traditional materials, reflecting a commitment to both heritage and environmental responsibility.

Meanwhile, the entrance features Datecrete pavers, sustainable cement alternative, a pioneering Emirati innovation made from crushed date seeds.

the UAE Pavilion’s signature feature is a striking forest of 90 rachis columns, soaring up to 16 metres

The outdoor spaces of the UAE Pavilion are designed as a cross-cultural conversation. Japanese satoyama woodlands, represented by oak and red pine, frame the pavilion, while a pergola of Japanese cedar intersects with Emirati khoos-patterned canopies. Outdoor furniture merges recycled date palm materials and Dateform, a pioneering UAE innovation, creating a harmonious landscape where nature, culture, and design converge.

Inside, visitors encounter a thoughtfully curated journey blending art, multimedia, and interior design. Atelier Brückner’s experience design guides guests through the UAE’s achievements and aspirations, from space exploration to healthcare innovation, offering a narrative that is both educational and emotionally resonant. Each element is purposefully integrated to create a holistic experience that mirrors the pavilion’s overarching themes of sustainability, heritage, and collaboration.

the pavilion integrates agricultural date palm waste with masterful Japanese woodworking expertise

to source agricultural date palm waste materials for the columns, the Earth to Ether Design Collective co-developed a supply chain in partnership with farmers from across the UAE and MENA region

inside, visitors embark on a multi-sensory journey that celebrates the UAE’s explorers of space

the Stewards of Sustainability from left to right: Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah; HE. Dr. Nawal Al Hosany; Maryam Hassani and Hayk Vasilyan; Maryam Al Mazrouei; and Professors Martin Takáč and Samuel Horváth