Osaka Expo Great Roof Pavilion｜The Ideals and Regrets of Wooden Architecture

Highly praised Osaka Expo Great Roof Pavilion, but after seeing it, feelings are mixed! This giant circular wooden structure was supposed to be the answer to the "future of wooden architecture," yet it leaves people with a complex mix of emotions…

🌟 First impression is stunning!
28 sturdy wooden pillars support the massive roof, with a circular walkway weaving through them. Light and shadow filter through the wood grain, creating a beautiful clash of the primitive and modern. But upon closer inspection, problems emerge:

❌ Material contradictions
Wood should carry the warmth of earth, but here it’s stacked as harshly as reinforced concrete. What’s more heartbreaking is that this "wooden forest" is rooted on a concrete foundation built on reclaimed land, instantly losing its soul!

❌ Imbalance in scale
The giant wooden components are so large they lose any sense of layering, lacking the delicacy of traditional wooden architecture and the lightness of modern craftsmanship. Instead, it feels oppressive, like being suffocated by "wooden blocks"…

❌ Sustainability doubts
Rumor has it the designer might have approached construction with a "demolition" mindset?! If that’s true, this building, touted as an "environmental model," would be completely counterproductive.

Despite the regrets, we still appreciate the reflection it brings. Perhaps the true future of wooden architecture isn’t about exaggerated size, but about letting the material "be itself"~

Post by Gggli | Jun 16, 2025