France Pavilion at Osaka World Expo 2025: A Theatre of Life by Carlo Ratti Associati & Coldefy

The France Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo 2025, designed collaboratively by French studio Coldefy and Italian innovation practice Carlo Ratti Associati, redefines the concept of architectural storytelling. Envisioned as a “theatre of life”, the Pavilion frames moments of presence, interaction, and movement, inviting visitors to engage with space as a medium for connection, reflection, and discovery.

Inspired by stage design and the Japanese legend of Akai Ito—the invisible red thread connecting destined souls—the Pavilion transforms the visitor journey into a choreographed experience. The spatial narrative follows four stages: beginning, transition, pause, and departure, mirroring the rhythms of daily life. A serene inner garden offers a contemplative retreat, emphasizing encounters with nature as essential as human interaction.

The Pavilion’s striking 17-meter-high fabric veils, suspended along two façades like theatrical curtains, dynamically respond to wind and light, creating a visually captivating interface with the environment. Visitors navigate a fluid pathway, alternating between enclosed and open-air spaces, climbing stairways that double as observation decks, and moving through a series of immersive exhibition zones before returning to the Expo site. This innovative approach challenges traditional linear exhibition formats, offering a rhythmic, circular journey that celebrates French savoir-faire and cultural craftsmanship.

Constructed with prefabricated and modular elements, the Pavilion embraces a circular, sustainable architecture approach. Its components are designed for disassembly and repurposing, including container structures for offices, movable curtain façades, and temporary installations. These strategies minimize environmental impact while maximizing flexibility, adaptability, and future reuse, reflecting contemporary approaches to sustainable design and adaptive architecture.

Visitors experience the Pavilion in three dynamic acts:

1. Ascent: A sculptural staircase winds up to an observation balcony, setting the stage for exploration.
2. Exhibition Journey & Garden Interlude: Visitors traverse a curated sequence of thematic spaces and installations, stepping outdoors into a landscaped garden for reflection before returning inside.
3. Final Transition: The journey concludes with a return to open-air space, emphasizing the continuous dialogue between interior and exterior environments.

According to Thomas Coldefy, founding partner of Coldefy, “The France Pavilion invites visitors to enter the theatre of life. Visitors become both actors and spectators, experiencing the symbiosis between humanity and the environment. Even brief encounters with space, material, or shared moments can resonate profoundly.”

Carlo Ratti, founding partner of CRA, adds, “The Pavilion is a dynamic, flexible space that sparks unexpected encounters. In an era of increasing polarization, physical space offers a much-needed antidote, encouraging open dialogue and diverse perspectives, mirroring the mission of today’s World Expos as hubs for discovery.”

All photographs are works of Julien Lanoo