Did you know that the façade of the Hungary Pavilion is covered with 35,500 lamellae, all individually fixed by hand?
Floating lamellae – the dance of wind and light
The pavilion’s façade is adorned with 35,500 lamellae of varying lengths and colors, each manually fixed in place. Originally designed to be made of metal, the elements were eventually crafted from flexible tent fabric to withstand the windy weather of Yumeshima Island, the host site of the World Expo. The organic movement of the floating lamellae in the wind evokes the constant shimmering of leaves, while also serving as a shading and cooling solution for the building.
Dome – engineering precision meets natural materials
At the heart of the pavilion stands a steel-framed dome, clad in spirally arranged cedar wood. The architects found inspiration in traditional Japanese architecture and its use of wood. Beneath the wooden structure, the dome is wrapped in two membrane layers: the outer layer provides light and sound insulation, creating a fully immersive experience for visitors inside, while the inner layer enables a play of lights that symbolizes the infinite night sky.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, the architectural solutions of the Hungary Pavilion are not only visually stunning but also carry a profound message: a perfect harmony between the respect for the past and the technologies of the future.
