Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto links Hungary to the Osaka World Expo
It’s an interesting coincidence that Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto is not only the designer of the House of Music Hungary in Budapest, but also the designer of the central building of the Expo 2025 Osaka. The two buildings are geographically and functionally distant from each other, yet they have many things in common.
House of Music Hungary – where music meets nature
Thanks to Fujimoto’s vision, the House of Music Hungary in Budapest has become an iconic building of the City Park, combining nature and modern architecture in a unique way. The undulating roof structure and glass walls create an airy atmosphere, as if the building were a continuation of nature. Fujimoto’s aim was to ensure that visitors would not just arrive at a concert venue, but at a cultural centre where music and nature come together in a special harmony.
Central building of the Osaka World Expo 2025 – a new level of sustainability
The central structure of the Osaka World Expo, the Grand Ring, reflects Fujimoto’s vision. Fujimoto designed the wooden ring as a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese wooden architecture. The entire 2 km perimeter will be connected into a single complete ring, which will also function as a rooftop observation deck. The timber-framed roof will symbolise the shared sky and will serve as a link among the participating countries.
This unique coincidence gives us the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into Fujimoto’s architectural philosophy, which always puts the experience of being close to nature and technological innovation at the forefront – just as music speaks a universal language, Fujimoto’s architecture offers an experience that can be understood and lived by everyone!
